Abstract
BackgroundIn recent years, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have detected subtle microstructural abnormalities of white matter (WM) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, findings have been inconsistent, and it is unclear whether WM abnormalities are related to cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of WM alterations with cognitive variables in OCD in order to investigate the structural correlates of behaviorally relevant features of the disorder.MethodsWe compared DTI‐derived fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and radial diffusivity (RD) measures between OCD patients (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 18) using a whole‐brain tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) approach. We also explored the correlations of WM alterations with clinical and cognitive variables.ResultsPatients with OCD demonstrated increases in MD in the bilateral posterior corona radiata; left anterior corona radiata; bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus; genu, body, and splenium of the corpus callosum; and left posterior limb of the internal capsule. An increase in RD values was also found in some of the same tracts (right posterior corona radiata, right superior longitudinal fasciculus, left anterior corona radiata, and corpus callosum). Furthermore, increased MD value in the internal capsule was correlated with the percentage of errors made during a target detection task, which was greater in the OCD group overall.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that OCD patients show greater diffusivity in several white‐matter regions. The correlation between cognitive performance and diffusivity in the internal capsule suggests that microstructural WM alternations may have functional consequences for the disorder.
Highlights
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions (Koch et al 2014)
We explored the relationship of white matter (WM) alterations with clinical and cognitive variables in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in order to investigate the structural correlates of behaviorally relevant features of the disorder
Increased mean diffusivity (MD) in the internal capsule was correlated with the percentage of errors made during a target detection task following negative event imagination, which itself was significantly greater in the OCD group
Summary
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of obsessions (i.e., recurrent, persistent, and intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety) and/or compulsions (i.e., repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety) (Koch et al 2014). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have detected white-matter (WM) alterations in OCD in tracts connecting many cortical and subcortical regions implicated in the disorder Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. In recent years, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have detected subtle microstructural abnormalities of white matter (WM) in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of WM alterations with cognitive variables in OCD in order to investigate the structural correlates of behaviorally relevant features of the disorder. Results: Patients with OCD demonstrated increases in MD in the bilateral posterior corona radiata; left anterior corona radiata; bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus; genu, body, and splenium of the corpus callosum; and left posterior limb of the internal capsule. The correlation between cognitive performance and diffusivity in the internal capsule suggests that microstructural WM alternations may have functional consequences for the disorder
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