Conditioned Fear Extinction, Neuropsychological, and Psychological Aspects of OCD in Latinos

Stephanie Santiago-Mejías,Karen Martínez

doi:10.37226/rcp.v4i2.2033

Stephanie Santiago-Mejías, Karen Martínez

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.37226/rcp.v4i2.2033

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Abstract

Background: Although culture can affect emotional and behavioral reactions, there is little research on the manifestations of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among Latinos. Previous studies using a fear extinction model with a non-Latino population showed that individuals with OCD have difficulty maintaining safety memories. Their neuropsychological performance has shown inconsistent findings. We compared Puerto Ricans with OCD and healthy controls on fear extinction retention, neuropsychological performance, and psychological self-reports. Methods: 17 healthy and 11 Puerto Rican adults with OCD underwent a fear conditioning and extinction paradigm using neutral visual cues that were paired or unpaired with an electric stimulus to elicit skin conductance responses. Neuropsychological tests (WCST,EST,MSIT) and psychological self-reports (BAI,BDI,STAI,PANAS,EDS)were administered. Results: OCD subjects did not show impaired extinction recall. However, they showed higher reaction times towards neutral than threat-related words on the EST, compared to healthy controls. No differences on neuropsychological tests that lacked emotional content were observed. OCD subjects showed increased symptoms of anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, negative affect, and emotional dysregulation. Conclusions: Puerto Ricans with OCD may have physiological and neuropsychological characteristics that are similar to healthy subjects, but a different psychological profile, which can be used to tailor cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments for OCD.

Highlights

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) consistently experience unwanted intrusions and intense fear and anxiety
Exclusion criteria included (1) medical conditions that could be affected by the fear conditioning paradigm, (2) history or active drug, alcohol or substance dependence, and (3) history of any neurological disorder or head trauma, as they could interfere with neuropsychological test performance
We found no differences in the skin conductance responses (SCR) to the conditioned stimulus during the presence of the shock (CS+) between the OCD and healthy groups (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) consistently experience unwanted intrusions and intense fear and anxiety. Given the difficulty of controlling anxiety, individuals with OCD find immediate relief in the repetitive performance of compulsions or rituals that end up increasing distress and reinforcing fear and avoidance (Van Noppen et al, 2006). This disorder is known to affect approximately 1-3% of the population worldwide (Abramovitch et al, 2015; American Psychological Association, 2013; Pallanti et al, 2011). Previous studies using a fear extinction model with non-Latino populations showed that individuals with OCD have difficulty maintaining safety memories Their neuropsychological performance has indicated inconsistent findings. A different psychological profile can be used to tailor cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments for OCD

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