Aspectos neuropsicológicos do transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo

Abstract

Neuropsychology is contributing to elucidate the nature of brain dysfunction associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Neuropsychological studies of individuals with subclinical and clinical obsessive-compulsive symptoms are reviewed here. It was observed that OCD patients may display impaired "reality monitoring", memory for actions, non-verbal memory, visuo-spatial abilities, and executive functions. Some specific neuropsychological findings are associated with different clinical characteristics such as gender, duration of disease, severity of symptoms, and response to drug treatment. Comparative studies suggest that the neuropsychological dysfunction associated with OCD is significantly different from that seen in major depressive disorder or schizophrenia. However, many similarities were observed between patients with OCD and patients with social phobia, body dysmorphic disorder, and trichotillomania. Furthermore, studies suggest that certain neurochemical abnormalities may underlie particular neuropsychological dysfunctions found in OCD. Despite many heterogeneous results, the reviewed data seems to support the pathophysiological theory centered in the dysfunction of the fronto-striatal circuits in OCD. Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Neuropsychology. Prefrontal cortex. Basal ganglia.

Influence of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions on strategic planning in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

“…1 It has been proposed that OCD affects the basal ganglia and frontostriatal structures, with consequent impairment of executive functions. 2,3 The term "executive functions" is quite broad and encompasses various psychological functions. Executive functions that have been associated with OCD include mental flexibility, nonverbal memory, verbal memory, visuospatial skills, psychomotor speed, and strategic planning.…”

“…3,4 It has been demonstrated that strategic planning, defined as "the ability to organize information into its most simple (or semantically related) components, making it easier to learn and memorize", is impaired in patients with OCD. 2,3 Dysfunction in strategic planning can lead to an excessive concern with details, lack of semantic associations, difficulty in modifying the cognitive stage, and impairment in nonverbal memory. 2 Mataix-Cols et al reported that OCD patients used unproductive organizational strategies during the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT), thereby corroborating the findings of Oliveira.…”

“…2,3 Dysfunction in strategic planning can lead to an excessive concern with details, lack of semantic associations, difficulty in modifying the cognitive stage, and impairment in nonverbal memory. 2 Mataix-Cols et al reported that OCD patients used unproductive organizational strategies during the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT), thereby corroborating the findings of Oliveira. 5,6 Planning deficits have also been linked to frontal lobe dysfunction.…”

“…5,6 Planning deficits have also been linked to frontal lobe dysfunction. 2 Studies conducted in attempts to explain the functioning of the brain have shown increased metabolic rates in the orbitofrontal cortex of OCD patients during tests involving the use of organizational strategies. 7 Choi et al found a correlation between the volume of gray matter in the left anterior orbitofrontal cortex and the final score on the copy portion of the ROCFT in patients with OCD, indicating that executive functions are related to the functioning of the frontal lobes.…”

Nutritional and Neuropsychological Profile of the Executive Functions on Binge Eating Disorder in Obese Adults

“…Studies show that obsessive/compulsive individuals present low competence in planning activities and organizational strategies (14,15), which reflects on EF deficits. Therefore, once BED is related to binge eating episodes, and as it is the main criteria for diagnosis, it plays a significant role in the development and maintenance of obesity and eating disorders.…”