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Response-inhibition deficits in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an indicator of dysfunction in frontostriatal circuits
D R Rosenberg1, E L Dick, K M O'Hearn
1Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. Drosen@med.wayne.edu
Abstract:
Abnormalities in the orbital prefrontal cortex and its ventral striatal target fields are believed to be involved in causing obsessive and compulsive symptoms. Lesions to this brain circuitry result in a selective disturbance in suppressing responses to irrelevant stimuli. This disturbance might underlie the apparent inhibitory deficit suggested by the symptomatology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Oculomotor tests were administered to 12 medication-free, nondepressed patients with OCD aged 18 to 44 y and 12 matched healthy controls to assess the ability to suppress responses and to execute delayed responses volitionally. Patients with OCD had more response-suppression failures than controls when peripheral visual targets were presented close to central fixation. No significant case-control differences were observed on the delayed-response task. A basic disturbance of neurobehavioral inhibition in OCD may underlie the repetitive behavior that characterizes the illness and be related to abnormalities in orbital prefrontal ventral striatal circuits.
Insights
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is linked to orbital prefrontal cortex abnormalities. Patients with OCD show impaired response suppression, suggesting a neurobehavioral inhibition deficit.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with abnormalities in the orbital prefrontal cortex and ventral striatal circuits.
- These brain regions are implicated in suppressing responses to irrelevant stimuli.
- A deficit in neurobehavioral inhibition may underlie OCD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate response suppression and volitional delayed response execution in patients with OCD.
- To explore the role of neurobehavioral inhibition deficits in OCD.
Main Methods:
- Oculomotor tests were used to assess response suppression and delayed response capabilities.
- 12 medication-free, non-depressed patients with OCD and 12 matched healthy controls participated.
- Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 44 years.
Main Results:
- Patients with OCD exhibited significantly more response-suppression failures compared to controls.
- Impaired suppression occurred specifically when peripheral visual targets were presented near central fixation.
- No significant differences were found between groups on the delayed-response task.
Conclusions:
- A fundamental disturbance in neurobehavioral inhibition may characterize OCD.
- This inhibition deficit is potentially linked to abnormalities within orbital prefrontal-ventral striatal circuits.
- Findings support the role of these circuits in the repetitive behaviors seen in OCD.