Neuropsychological functioning in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Are executive functions the key deficit?

Abstract Objective Although several studies have examined neuropsychological functions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), findings are not conclusive, predominantly due to small samples and assessment of limited domains. We aim to map the neuropsychological profile of OCD in a large sample with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Comprehensive psychiatry 2013-07, Vol.54 (5), p.533-540
Main Authors: Kashyap, Himani, Kumar, J. Keshav, Kandavel, Thennarasu, Reddy, Y.C. Janardhan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Biological and medical sciences
Bipolar disorder
Cognition & reasoning
Concept Formation
Decision Making
Executive Function
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Memory
Neuropsychological Tests
Neuroses
Obsessive compulsive disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - psychology
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Studies
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Summary:Abstract Objective Although several studies have examined neuropsychological functions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), findings are not conclusive, predominantly due to small samples and assessment of limited domains. We aim to map the neuropsychological profile of OCD in a large sample with a comprehensive battery of tests. Method Neuropsychological functions were tested in 150 subjects with DSM-IV OCD and 205 healthy control subjects. Results Subjects with OCD performed significantly worse than healthy control subjects on Colour Trails 1 time, Tower of Hanoi 3-disk time, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test categories completed, Iowa Gambling Task, Complex Figure Test immediate and delayed recall (p < 0.001). Conclusions Subjects with OCD evince deficits in scanning, planning time, concept formation, decision making and encoding of non-verbal memory after controlling for the effects of age, gender and education. The profile is suggestive of a predominantly executive dysfunction, with difficulties in strategizing and organizing stimuli and cognitive resources for maximum efficiency. The findings implicate dorsolateral prefrontal, superior medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices, suggesting that OCD might not be a purely orbitofronto-striatal disorder as previously conceptualized.
ISSN:0010-440X
1532-8384
DOI:10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.12.003