Gray matter alterations in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an anatomic likelihood estimation meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Psychiatry
• Brain Anatomy

Background:

• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies frequently report gray matter density (GMD) abnormalities in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Previous research indicates potential structural alterations in the brains of individuals with OCD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a quantitative meta-analysis of VBM studies comparing GMD in OCD patients and healthy controls (HC).
• To identify specific brain regions with altered GMD in OCD.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search yielding 10 VBM studies with 343 OCD patients and 318 HC.
• Anatomical likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis to assess GMD differences.
• Comparison of findings between pediatric and adult populations.

Main Results:

• OCD patients exhibited smaller GMD in parieto-frontal cortical regions (supramarginal gyrus, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex).
• Increased GMD was observed in the basal ganglia (putamen) and anterior prefrontal cortex in OCD patients.
• No significant age-related differences in GMD alterations were detected between children and adults.

Conclusions:

• Structural abnormalities in parieto-frontal areas and the basal ganglia are associated with OCD.
• Findings support the involvement of the prefrontal-basal ganglia network in OCD pathophysiology.
• These GMD differences provide insights into the neurobiological underpinnings of OCD.