Functional Neuroimaging in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Year: 2011
Type: review
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe, highly prevalent and chronically disabling psychiatric disorder that usually emerges during childhood or adolescence. This paper aims to review the literature on functional neuroimaging in OCD, analysing the reported dysfunctional connectivity in the corticostriatothalamocortical circuitry. METHOD: This study included papers published in peer-reviewed journals dealing with functional imaging in OCD. RESULTS: Striatal dysfunction, mainly of the caudate nucleus, leads to inefficient thalamic gating, resulting in hyperactivity within the orbitofrontal cortex (intrusive thoughts) and the anterior cingulate cortex (non-specific anxiety). Compulsions consist of ritualistic behaviours performed to recruit the inefficient striatum and neutralise unwanted thoughts and anxiety. Functional neuroimaging findings are discussed against the background of specific cognitive impairments, mainly regarding visuospatial processing, executive functioning and motor speed. Cognitive deficits are partial and specific, matching imaging data. CONCLUSIONS: Several studies have targeted brain regions hypothesised to be involved in the pathogenesis of OCD, showing the existence of dysfunctional connectivity in the corticostriatothalamocortical circuitry. Improvements in spatial resolution of neuroimaging techniques may contribute to a better understanding of the neurocircuitry of OCD and other anxiety disorders.
Source: Neuropsychobiology
DOI: 10.1159/000325223
Authors: A. Del Casale, G.D. Kotzalidis, C. Rapinesi, D. Serata, E. Ambrosi, A. Simonetti, M. Pompili, S. Ferracuti, R. Tatarelli, P. Girardi
Institutions: Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1985748616