Altered resting-state functional organization within the central executive network in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Cognitive Neuroscience

Background:

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to impaired response inhibition and planning.
• These cognitive functions are managed by the central executive network (CEN).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine resting-state functional connectivity within the CEN in individuals with OCD.
• Investigate both intra- and inter-regional connectivity patterns.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used on 30 OCD patients and 30 healthy controls.
• Independent component analysis defined the CEN mask.
• Regional homogeneity (ReHo) and seed-based functional connectivity analyses were performed.

Main Results:

• OCD patients exhibited increased ReHo and functional connectivity in key CEN regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and angular gyrus.
• Increased ReHo in the orbitofrontal cortex and altered connectivity between the orbitofrontal cortex and angular gyrus correlated negatively with OCD duration.

Conclusions:

• Elevated resting-state functional organization within the CEN is observed in OCD.
• This altered connectivity may underlie cognitive control deficits and contribute to symptom progression in OCD.