Related Experiment Videos
[Minor neurological signs in obsessive-compulsive disorders]
V Conde López1, J J de la Gándara Martín, M L Blanco Lozano
1Departmental de Psicología Médica y Psiquiatría, Facultad de Medicina de Valladolid.
Actas Luso-Espanolas De Neurologia, Psiquiatria Y Ciencias Afines
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to soft neurologic signs (SNS), particularly in coordination and balance. These findings suggest neurobiological underpinnings rather than organic impairment in OCD etiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with various neurological anomalies, prompting research into its etiopathogenesis.
- Soft neurologic signs (SNS) are subtle neurological abnormalities that may indicate underlying brain dysfunction.
- Previous studies suggest a link between OCD and neurological findings, but further investigation is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and nature of soft neurologic signs (SNS) in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
- To compare SNS prevalence in OCD patients with those in phobic disorder patients and healthy controls.
- To explore potential correlations between SNS and demographic, clinical, intellectual, and neuropsychological variables in OCD.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 20 patients diagnosed with OCD (DSM-III), 28 patients with phobic disorders, and 20 healthy controls.
- Assessment using a standardized soft neurologic signs (SNS) protocol.
- Administration of intellectual efficiency exams (WAIS) and neuropsychological tests (Benton/Bender) in a blinded manner.
Main Results:
- The OCD group exhibited a higher global incidence of SNS compared to controls, with notable alterations in upper extremity coordination and balance.
- A trend towards more anomalies in dominance-laterality was observed in the OCD group.
- SNS incidence in OCD did not correlate with age, psychiatric history, neuropsychological impairment, or pharmacotherapy, but showed a relationship with schooling, particularly in males.
Conclusions:
- Patients with OCD demonstrate a higher prevalence of soft neurologic signs (SNS), especially concerning motor coordination and balance.
- The findings suggest a potential neurobiological basis for OCD, aligning with neurobiological hypotheses.
- The results do not support neuroevolutionary or generalized organic impairment theories as the primary cause of OCD etiopathogenesis.