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Neurocognitive profile analysis in obsessive-compulsive disorder

KATHERINE E. BURDICKa1a2a3 c1, DELBERT G. ROBINSONa1a2a3, ANIL K. MALHOTRAa1a2a3 and PHILIP R. SZESZKOa1a2a3 a1 Division of Psychiatry Research, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Glen Oaks, New York. a2 Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York. a3 Center for Translational Psychiatry, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York.

Article author query burdick ke   robinson dg   malhotra ak   szeszko pr

Abstract

Although neurocognitive deficits have been identified in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), little research has focused on whether these deficits are generalized or specific to a given cognitive domain. We assessed the relative strengths and weaknesses of 26 adult patients with OCD compared to 38 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers in domains of motor, verbal memory, visual memory, reasoning/problem solving, processing speed processing, and language. Profile analysis revealed an overall neurocognitive deficit of ½ standard deviation in OCD patients versus healthy volunteers, with relative weaknesses in motor and processing speed domains. In contrast, relative strengths were observed in language, verbal memory, and reasoning/problem solving. Our findings demonstrate neurocognitive impairment in OCD that may relate to functional outcome in this population. Findings of specific abnormalities on tasks of motor and processing speed are consistent with a hypothesized role of thalamocortical and basal ganglia regions in the pathogenesis of OCD. (JINS, 2008, 14, 640–645.)

(Received August 13 2007)

(Revised February 28 2008)

(Accepted March 03 2008)

Key Words: OCD; Neurocognition; Motor; Processing Speed; Basal Ganglia; Anxiety

Correspondence:

^c1 Correspondence and reprint requests to: Katherine E. Burdick, The Zucker Hillside Hospital, North-Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, 75-59 263^rd Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004. E-mail: kburdick@lij.edu