Inhibitory control in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

The clinical features of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) suggest that a fundamental deficit of inhibitory control is intrinsic to the disorder. In this preliminary study, we sought to examine cognitive disinhibition in OCD by using an established laboratory technique. The stop signal task was administered to a higher functioning, untreated group of individuals with OCD, and to healthy comparison participants. Surprisingly, the OCD participants exhibited more accurate performance, suggesting better inhibitory control on this task. This unexpected finding suggests that higher functioning individuals with OCD are capable of adequate inhibition in certain contexts. It was speculated, however, that emotional stimulation might negatively affect performance and that this might be studied in subsequent research.