Compulsive Score Research Articles

The relationship of consumers’ compulsive buying behavior with biological rhythm, impulsivity, and fear of missing out

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between compulsive buying (CB), biological rhythm, impulsivity, and fear of missing out (FoMO). The data in the research was collected from 493 university students using a package of psychological tools including the personal questionnaire, the Compulsive Buying Scale (CBS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Fear of Missing Out Scale (FoMOs), Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). One-way analysis of variance was used to investigate the differences in scales scores across chronotypes, and hierarchical regression analysis to understand the relationships of compulsive buying scores with socio-demographic characteristics and scales scores. Morning-typeindividuals reported lower scores on the CBS, impulsivity, FoMOs, anxiety, and stress than evening-types or neither-types. According to the hierarchical regression analyses, compulsive buyers reported significantly greater levels of impulsivity, depression, anxiety, and fear of missing out. The results showed that evening-type individuals were more likely to compulsive buying behaviors, impulsivity, and FoMO. In conclusion, this study revealed pioneering findings in terms of CB-related factors. It also showed the relationship between consumers’ compulsive buying behavior, and FoMO and the effect of circadian preferences in biological rhythms on this relationship.

Results of Gamma Knife anterior capsulotomy for refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder: results in a series of 10 consecutive patients.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe psychiatric condition. The authors present their experience with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in the treatment of patients with OCD resistant to any medical therapy. Patients with severe OCD resistant to all pharmacological and psychiatric treatments who were treated with anterior GKRS capsulotomy were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were submitted to a physical, neurological, and neuropsychological examination together with structural and functional MRI before and after GKRS treatment. Strict study inclusion criteria were applied. Radiosurgical capsulotomy was performed using two 4-mm isocenters targeted at the midputaminal point of the anterior limb of the capsule. A maximal dose of 120 Gy was prescribed for each side. Clinical global changes were assessed using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale, EQ-5D, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). OCD symptoms were determined by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Ten patients with medically refractory OCD (5 women and 5 men) treated between 2006 and 2015 were included in this study. Median age at diagnosis was 22 years, median duration of illness at the time of radiosurgery was 14.5 years, and median age at treatment was 38.8 years. Before GKRS, the median Y-BOCS score was 34.5 with a median obsession score of 18 and compulsion score of 17. Seven (70%) of 10 patients achieved a full response at their last follow-up, 2 patients were nonresponders, and 1 patient was a partial responder. Evaluation of the Y-BOCS, BDI, STAI-Trait, STAI-State, GAF, and EQ-5D showed statistically significant improvement at the last follow-up after GKRS. Neurological examinations were normal in all patients at each visit. At last follow-up, none of the patients had experienced any significant adverse neuropsychological effects or personality changes. GKRS anterior capsulotomy is effective and well tolerated with a maximal dose of 120 Gy. It reduces both obsessions and compulsions, improves quality of life, and diminishes depression and anxiety.

Obsessive compulsive personality traits: Understanding the chain of pathogenesis from health to disease

BackgroundObsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is the most common personality disorder across the globe, and has been associated with heightened impulsivity and compulsivity. Examination of whether these findings extend to people with subsyndromal OCPD may shed light on pathogenic mechanisms contributing to the ultimate expression of full personality disorder. MethodsNon-treatment seeking participants were recruited in the general community of two US cities, and completed a detailed clinical assessment, along with questionnaires and cognitive tests relating to impulsivity and compulsivity. Participants were classified into two groups: those with subsyndromal OCPD (N = 104) and healthy controls free from mental disorders (N = 52). Demographic, clinical, and cognitive characteristics between the study groups were compared. ResultsGroups did not differ on age, gender, or educational levels. Subsyndromal OCPD had significantly elevated impulsivity (Barratt Impulsivity Scale) and compulsivity (Padua Inventory) scores, but did not differ on neuropsychological task performance (response inhibition, set-shifting, or decision-making). Across the whole sample in ordinary least squares modelling, self-rated OCPD scores were unrelated to Barratt Impulsivity Scale scores, but were highly related to Padua Inventory scores. ConclusionsSubsyndromal OCD was associated with impulsivity and compulsivity on self-report questionnaires, but not cognitive tasks. Interestingly, only compulsivity scores reflected the extent of OCPD traits by self-report, suggesting impulsivity may constitute a vulnerability rather than severity marker. The extremely high rates of morbid disorders in those with subsyndromal OCPD may suggest such traits induce a propensity for other disorders.

Dealing with mixed data types in the obsessive-compulsive disorder using ensemble classification

ObjectiveObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent obsessions and/or compulsions. Applying classification algorithms for prediction of treatment response helps to individualize treatment with more effectiveness. OCD data set is heterogeneous including continuous and discrete variables which presents challenges for most of the traditional classifiers to avoid data over-fitting. Here, we aimed to develop an ensemble classifier which is suitable for mixed data types for prediction of treatment response in OCD. MethodsOne hundred fifty-one subjects with OCD aged between 18–65 underwent fluvoxamine pharmacotherapy for 12 weeks and categorized into two groups (responder, non-responder) based on the reduction in their symptom severity following treatment. Decision tree and support vector machines (SVM-tree) were combined to deal with discrete and continuous variables and were used as base classifiers to build an ensemble of classifiers. ResultsSome of the attributes such as sexual obsessions and occupation, factor 1 (aggressive, contamination, sexual, religious, symmetry obsessions), initial obsession score, age at onset and illness duration are the high ranked predictors of treatment response. Comparing accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity and f-measure of the new algorithm with traditional classification algorithms such as decision tree, support vector machines (SVM), k-nearest neighbor and random forest showed a stronger performance of the proposed algorithm in the prediction of OCD treatment response. ConclusionThe proposed strategy introduced an effective classification method to deal with medical datasets with mixed data types which can be of great significance in medical datasets and personalized medicine.

Study on socioeconomic status and psychological characteristics of children with oppositional defiant disorder

Objective To explore the socioeconomic status and psychological characteristics of the children with oppositional defiant disorder(ODD), and to provide evidence for revealing the pathogenesis of ODD. Methods General Conditions Questionnaire and Achenbach Children′s Behavior Checklist Scale (CBCL) were used to evaluate 44 cases of ODD children aged 8 to 14 years old who were first referred to the Eighth People′s Hospital of Zhengzhou City from August 2016 to January 2017, and 50 healthy children were randomly selected according to their grades from a primary school in Zhengzhou.Chi-square test and independent sample t test were used to analyze data. Results The father′s and mother′s education levels and family per capita income in ODD group were lower than those in healthy control group, and their academic achievements in ODD group were worse than those in healthy control group, and the diffe-rences were statistically significant(all P=0.000). The scores of schizoid (2.32±2.73), depression(4.48±6.12), social problems(3.09±3.34), compulsion(4.05±5.60), social withdrawal(2.39±3.20), hyperactivity(4.95±4.37), aggressive behavior(7.59±7.62) and rule-breaking(2.91±3.85) in ODD children were higher than those of the healthy control group(1.04±1.37, 1.48±2.06, 0.68±1.13, 0.78±1.46, 0.60±1.16, 1.70±1.98, 2.48±3.28, 0.62±1.58), and the differences were statistically significant(all P 0.05). Conclusions There are significant emotional and behavioral problems in ODD children whose family socioeconomic status is lower, and their psychological characteristics vary with gender differences. Key words: Socioeconomic status; Oppositional defiant disorder; Child; Emotion; Behavior

Investigation of impulsivity, anxiety and depressive symptoms as predictors of suicide in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Objective: Suicide is one of the preventable causes of death. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been shown to increase the risk of suicide as in most mental illnesses. However, there are limited number of studies to determine predictors of suicide in OCD patients. Due to the lack of literature, this study aims to reveal the relationship between impulsivity and suicidal behavior in OCD patients. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 122 OCD patients who were diagnosed according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and included in the study. The participants were evaluated with Sociodemographic Data Form, Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsion Scale (Y-BOCS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The patients were divided into two groups with and without suicide attempt and were subjected to appropriate statistical treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between BIS-11 total and subscale scores and BAI scores of two groups with and without suicide attempt, but there was a statistically significant difference between HAM-D, Y-BOCS total, obsession, compulsion scores and suicide attempts. In OCD patients, gender, Y-BOCS and HAM-D scores were predictive of suicide, whereas age and BIS-11 scores were not predictive. Conclusion: This study suggests that suicidal behavior in OCD patients results from symptom severity rather than impulsivity. Long-term follow-up studies are needed to investigate the relationship between impulsivity and suicide in OCD patients.

Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang for chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized control trial

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang in treating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). MethodsSixty patients were randomized into treatment group and control group. In treatment group, the back-shu points of five zang organs were adopted for acupuncture. Shènshū (肾俞 BL23) was perpendicularly needled 15–30 mm in depth. The rest of the selected points were inserted obliquely 15–30 mm in the direction of the spine with even method of lifting-thrusting and twisting-twirling, 10 s for each acupoint. In control group, the acupoints were approximately 1.5–2 cm away outward from the back-shu points of five zang organs (about on the middle of the two sidelines of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang) and the points from the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang were excluded. Acupoints were needled 6–9 mm in depth, and deqi was not required, without any manipulation. The treatments were carried out twice a week for twenty minutes each time, a total of eight treatments were given. The clinical efficacy of acupuncture treatment for CFS was evaluated through the Fatigue Scale-14 (FS-14) and the Symptom Check-List 90 (SCL-90) after treatment. ResultsThe total effective rate was 86.67% in the treatment group and 53.33% in the control group (P < 0.01). In treatment group, FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores were significantly reduced than before treatment (all P < 0.01). In control group, FS-14 total scores and somatic fatigue scores were significantly reduced (both P < 0.01). The improvement of FS-14 total scores, somatic fatigue scores, and mental fatigue scores in the treatment group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). After treatment, SCL-90 total scores and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, psychoticism, and other factors scores were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with before treatment (P < 0.01). In control group, the SCL-90 total scores and the scores of somatization, compulsion, hostility, and other factors after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.01). The total scores of SCL-90 and somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, psychoticism, and other factors in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). ConclusionsAcupuncture on back-shu points of five zang can significantly improve the somatic fatigue and mental fatigue of the patients, and at the same time improve their psychological status. Significant therapeutic effect was found on CFS. Compared with the control group, the acupuncture treatment can significantly improve the patient's somatic fatigue, mental fatigue and psychological status.

Prevalence and clinical correlations of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in schizophrenia.

Obsessive compulsive symptoms are often present in persons with schizophrenia. Adequately powered studies to evaluate the effect of such symptoms in the course of the disorder, are few. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and type of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in persons with schizophrenia. We evaluated 200 outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-V) on the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Participants with or without obsessive compulsive symptoms were matched on age, gender and age of onset of schizophrenia. Appropriate analysis by comparisons and correlations were performed. Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms was 18.5% (n = 37/200). Most common obsession was contamination and compulsion was cleaning/washing with a prevalence of 51.35% and 63.33% respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups on age, gender, marital status, residence, age of onset or total duration of illness of schizophrenia. The OC symptoms group had significantly higher general psychopathology and PANSS total scores. There was significant positive correlation between YBOCS total obsession scores (To) and total PANSS scores (r = 0.358) (p = 0.030), as well as PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (Gt) (r = 0.395) (p = 0.016) and finally between total YBOCS scores (To + Tc) and PANSS positive subscale scores (Pt)(r = 0.344) (p = 0.037). There was a significant subgroup of schizophrenia patients (almost one fifth) who complained of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. This group reported significantly higher general psychopathology and could thus be said to be more seriously ill, in an adequately powered cross sectional study.

Specific Forms of Passionate Attachment Differentially Mediate Relationships Between Pornography Use and Sexual Compulsivity in Young Adult Men

The current study examined potential roles for two types of “passionate attachment” in mediating the relationship between pornography use and sexual compulsivity. Harmonious passion (HP) occurs when a person’s sexual behavior is congruent with personal life, while obsessive passion (OP) occurs when an “uncontrollable urge” to engage in sexual activity creates conflict and interferes with functioning. We recruited 265 university men to complete questionnaires assessing demographics, pornography use characteristics, passionate attachment for pornography, and sexual compulsivity. Relationships between study variables were examined using structural path modeling analysis. HP ratings were found to significantly, though partially, mediate the relationship between ratings of weekly pornography use and sexual compulsivity. OP ratings were found to mediate fully the relationship between weekly pornography use and sexual compulsivity ratings. When a fully specified 2-mediator model was estimated, only OP remained a significant predictor of sexual compulsivity. The relationship between weekly pornography use and sexual compulsivity was fully explained by OP ratings, while HP was not found to contribute to sexual compulsivity scores, above and beyond the effect of OP. The findings that OP, but not HP, links pornography use and sexual compulsivity suggests that obsessive forms of passionate attachment may represent a target for treatment.

Effect of mental nursing intervention in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To explore the effect of psychological nursing intervention in elderly patients with chronic kidney disease. Methods A total of 137 elderly patients with chronic kidney disease admitted to this hospital from January 2014 to December 2016 were selected as the research objects. Among them, 65 patients were from January 2014 to June 2015, and routine nursing intervention was given, which was set as the control group.The remaining 72 patients were patients from July 2015 to December 2016, and psychological nursing intervention was given on the basis of the nursing of the control group, which was set as the observation group. The SDS and SAS scores, psychological and emotional scores and intervention satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in SDS and SAS scores between the two groups before the intervention, and the difference was statistically significant(P>0.05). After the intervention, the SDS and SAS scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with those before the intervention, and the SDS and SAS scores of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). The scores of somatization, compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, terror, paranoia, doubts and depression of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The satisfaction rates of the observation group and the control group were respectively 93.05%and73.83%.And the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusions The psychological nursing intervention for elderly patients with chronic kidney disease can significantly alleviate their anxiety, depression and other adverse psychological emotions, and improve their satisfaction with the nursing intervention, which can be further promoted and used in clinic. Key words: Chronic kidney disease; Aged; Psychological nursing intervention

Effects of atorvastatin on treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: A double-blind randomized trial.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder of unknown etiology. An augmentation strategy is an approach for treatment-resistant OCD. This study was planned to assess the effect of atorvastatin on treatment-resistant OCD. This 12-week-long double-blind randomized trial was performed on 26 adult patients with treatment-resistant OCD. They were diagnosed with this kind of disorder based on the DSM-IV-TR. The patients were randomized to receive either 10 mg/day atorvastatin or placebo. The Yale-Brown scale was assessed at the baseline and 12 weeks later. There were significant reductions in the obsession subtotal scoreof the Y-BOCS (p = 0.017) and the total Y-BOCS score (p = 0.041) in the atorvastatin group. Hence, the reduction in the Y-BOCS compulsive score (p = 0.081) was not statistically significant. Atorvastatin was generally well tolerated. There was a significant reduction in libido in the atorvastatin group (p = 0.019). The results of this study should be interpreted in the shadow of its restrictions. Some of the restrictions were a limited number of patients in the trial, a 12-week-long time trial, and not measuring NO before and after the study. It is recommended that researchers should consider these items in similar type of studies.

Novel ensemble method for the prediction of response to fluvoxamine treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

ObjectiveAbout 30% of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) patients exhibit an inadequate response to pharmacotherapy. The detection of clinical variables associated with treatment response may result in achievement of remission in shorter period, preventing illness development and reducing socioeconomic costs.MethodsIn total, 330 subjects with OCD diagnosis underwent 12-week pharmacotherapy with fluvoxamine (150–300 mg). Treatment response was ≥25% reduction in Yale-Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score. In total, 36 clinical attributes of 151 subjects who had completed their treatment course were analyzed. Data mining algorithms included missing value handling, feature selection, and new analytical method based on ensemble classification. The results were compared with those of other traditional classification algorithms such as decision tree, support vector machines, k-nearest neighbor, and random forest.ResultsSexual and contamination obsessions are high-ranked predictors of resistance to fluvoxamine pharmacotherapy as well as high Y-BOCS obsessive score. Our results showed that the proposed analysis strategy has good ability to distinguish responder and nonresponder patients according to their clinical features with 86% accuracy, 79% sensitivity, and 89% specificity.ConclusionThis study proposed an analytical approach which is an accurate and a sensitive method for the analysis of high-dimensional medical data sets containing more number of missing values. The treatment of OCD could be improved by better understanding of the predictors of pharmacotherapy, which may lead to more effective treatment of patients with OCD.

Association of Nesfatin-1, Acylated Ghrelin and Cortisol with Scores of Compulsion, Food Addiction, and Binge Eating in Adults with Normal Weight and with Obesity

Background/Aims: The alterations of eating behavior are insufficiently recognized in the clinical attention of adults with obesity. The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of overeating behavior and its association with depression, perceived stress, acylated ghrelin, nestafin-1, and cortisol. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 80 participants with obesity and 50 with normal weight. The volunteers completed questionnaires to evaluate symptoms of food addiction (FA), obsessive compulsive, binge eating (BE), depression, and perceived stress. We measured glucose, lipids, acylated ghrelin, nesfatin-1, and insulin in a fasting blood sample as well as urine cortisol. We compared groups with students t test, and analysis of variance, and tested associations by logistic and multiple regression. Results: By multiple regression, the BE total score was positively associated with the FA (p < 0.0001) and depression total score (p < 0.0001). By logistic regression, the positive score of FA was associated with ghrelin (p < 0.02). The perceived stress total score was associated negatively with cortisol (p < 0.0006). Conclusion: The BE and FA are strongly associated in agreement with the concept that both conditions have overlapping features. Depressive symptoms are associated with symptoms of disordered eating ­behavior. FA positive score was associated with ghrelin. BE total score was associated with nesfatin-1.

BLOOD LEVELS OF TREATMENT RESISTANT OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER PATIENTS PRESCRIBED SUPRA-NORMAL DOSAGES OF SERTRALINE

. Aims This study examined the blood levels of Sertraline in patients with profound, refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and who were prescribed dosages in excess of recommended limits. Background Studies in patients with OCD have demonstrated that higher levels of serotonin reuptake inhibiting (SRI) drugs are usually needed to obtain remission that those required for depression. This observation led some workers to suggest that supra-normal doses of selective SRIs may prove beneficial in treatment refractory patients. Pampaloni et al. (2010) found that these high doses of selective SRIs were well tolerated in treatment refractory patients and led to clinical improvement. The aim of this study was to examine the blood levels of patients prescribed supra-normal doses of Sertraline. If the blood levels remained within therapeutic range, then this would suggest that these patients either have reduced absorption of the drug or were rapidly metabolising Sertraline. Methods Patients selected for the study had all been admitted to the National Inpatient Service for OCD/BDD based in South West London and St George’s NHS Trust. This Unit has been described elsewhere (Drummond et al., 2012). Owing to the wards admission criteria, all the patients had previously received at least two trials of different SSRIs or Clomipramine for a minimum of 3 months each without any resolution of symptoms. In addition, all patients had received augmentation with a dopamine blocker and also at least 2 trials of Exposure and response-prevention psychological therapy. Despite these treatments, all patients were admitted to the service with a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Score within the high end of the “profoundly ill” range (>35/40). Successively admitted patients who were prescribed Sertraline in doses greater than the recommended 200mg per day were included in the study. These patients who were initially unresponsive to 200mg Sertraline had their daily doses titrated upwards in 50mg increases every 2-4 weeks up to a maximum of 400mg (depending on efficacy and any side effects). Blood samples were taken shortly after their morning dose had been administered. This was after the patients had stabilised for at least 2 weeks on the higher doses. Results 7 patients were included in the study. Blood levels of Sertraline were found to be in therapeutic range for all patients. In general, the blood levels remained within the lower half of normal reference range despite being prescribed supra-normal Sertraline dosages ranging from 250mg to 400mg per day. Conclusion This study demonstrates that some patients who are refractory to standard doses have blood levels within the therapeutic range. This finding suggests that these patients either absorb the drug poorly or metabolise it rapidly.

Anterior thalamic radiation structural and metabolic changes in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A combined DTI-MRS study

Numerous studies indicate the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit plays an important role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), as a major fiber in the fronto-thalamic circuitry, contributes to symptomology of OCD. However, the underlying biochemical mechanism in relation with its structural alteration remains not understood. This study investigated the structural abnormality of ATR and its correlation with thalamic metabolic alteration in OCD, using diffusion tensor image (DTI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Twenty-six unmedicated adult OCD patients and twenty-six matched healthy controls participated in DTI study. Thirteen OCD patients and thirteen healthy controls, a subset of DTI participants, took part in MRS study. The results showed that mean fiber length of right ATR negatively correlated with ipsilateral thalamic choline (Cho) level in OCD patients. Additionally, significantly higher Cho concentration was detected in right thalamus of OCD patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, the mean fractional anisotropy (FA) value of right ATR positively correlated with patients Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) total score, as well as YBOCS compulsion score. These results suggested the coupling of structural and metabolic changes in right ATR, which might serve as a multi-modal biomarker contributing to the pathogenesis of OCD.

Cortical thickness and white matter integrity abnormalities in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A combined multimodal surface-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics study.

Cerebral morphological abnormalities may play a key role in pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, few studies have used multimodal imaging strategies to investigate alterations of cortical morphometry and white matter (WM) integrity. This study aimed to evaluate cortical thickness, cortical and subcortical volume, and WM integrity characteristics in OCD patients comprehensively. We acquired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 52 OCD patients and 46 well-matched healthy controls (HCs). Cortical thickness and cortical and subcortical volume were measured using the surface-based morphometry (SBM) approach. We also evaluated fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). The disease severity was evaluated by score of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). For those brain regions exhibiting altered structure, correlations between alterations and clinical symptoms severity were analyzed in all patients and medication-naïve patients, respectively. Compared with controls, OCD patients exhibited cortical thinning in right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), as well as significantly decreased FA values in the genu and body of corpus callosum (CC). In medication-naïve patients group, the total Y-BOCS score and obsession score were significantly negative correlated with right PCC cortical thickness. OCD patients demonstrated symptom-related reduced cortical thickness structural alteration of the right PCC, and altered WM integrity in the genu and body of CC. Medication seems could alleviate the alteration of cortical thickness but not WM integrity. Combined multimodal neuroimaging methods may provide a more comprehensive perspective to clarify the pathological mechanism of OCD.

What Drives OCD Symptom Change During CBT Treatment? Temporal Relationships Among Obsessions and Compulsions

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, less is known about how obsessions and compulsions change during treatment, either in tandem, sequentially, or independently. The current study used latent difference score analysis to show path-analytic dynamic modeling of OCD symptom change during CBT. Four competing models of the temporal relationship between obsessions and compulsions were examined: no coupling (obsessions and compulsions are not dynamically related), goal directed (obsessions lead to subsequent changes in compulsions), habit driven (compulsions lead to subsequent changes in obsessions), and reciprocal. Treatment seeking participants (N = 84) with a principal diagnosis of OCD completed 12 weeks of CBT group therapy and completed measures assessing obsession and compulsion severity at pretreatment, Sessions 4 and 8, and end of treatment. Bivariate results supported the goal directed traditional CBT model, where obsession scores are temporally associated with subsequent changes in compulsion scores. These results have implications for theoretical and treatment modelling of obsessions and compulsions in OCD treatment.

Hippocampus volume alterations and the clinical correlates in medication naïve obsessive compulsive disorder

BackgroundConverging evidence suggests the role of hippocampus in the pathophysiology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The role of hippocampus, which might have a cardinal role in the neurobiology of OCD through its mediating effect on various cognitive and affective processes, needs further investigation. This study is a region-of-interest analysis of hippocampal volume and its clinical correlates in a medication-naïve sample with low comorbidity rate. MethodT1 weighted MRI (1.5T) was analysed for medication-naive DSM IV OCD patients (n = 26) patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls (HC) using a region-of-interest (ROI) method separately for the anterior and posterior subdivisions of hippocampus. ResultsWe found significantly greater left hippocampus volume compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the severity of the compulsion score and the left posterior hippocampus volume demonstrated a significant negative correlation among the OCD patients. LimitationModest sample size precludes examination of the effect of symptom dimensions on hippocampal volume. ConclusionsThe study results highlight the role of hippocampus in the neurobiological basis of OCD and in mediation of the illness severity.

Comparison of Obsessive Beliefs and Family Functioning among Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Patients (OCD) and General Population in Selected Areas of Amabala, Haryana

In India the 6–7% people suffering from common mental disorders and 1–2% for severe mental disorders. One in five people in India live with a mental illness. The number of minor ailments like neurosis, psychosomatic diseases are about 4–5 times higher in Haryana. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often a severe, frequently debilitating anxiety disorder that affects approximately 2% of the population. The study is to assess and compare the obsessive beliefs and family functioning among OCD patients and general population in selected areas of Haryana. A non-experimental research approach and descriptive comparative design was used. OCD patients and general population from selected areas of Haryana was used to collect the data. Total sample of the study was 57 (27 OCD patients and 30 general population). Convenience sampling technique was used to select the sample. A structured obsessive belief questionnaire of 7-point rating scale and general family functioning scale was used to focusing on obsessive beliefs and family functioning of OCD patients and general population. The mean obsessive belief score of OCD patients (244.56) was higher than mean obsessive belief score of general population (210.90). The mean general family functioning score of OCD patients (2.21) was higher than the mean general family functioning score of general population (1.92). The coefficient of co-relation between obsessive belief scores and general family functioning scores obtained by OCD patients and general population was (−0.06, -0.23) suggesting a negative co-relation between obsessive belief scores and general family functioning scores. The study concludes that there was significant difference in obsessive beliefs and general family functioning of OCD patients and general population.

Dogs\u2019 reaction to inequity is affected by inhibitory control

Inequity aversion is thought to act as a mechanism to ensure cooperation and has been studied in many different species, consistently revealing inter-individual variation. Inhibitory control has been proposed to act as one factor responsible for this variation since individuals need to inhibit performing the required action and/or refuse rewards in order to exhibit inequity aversion. Here, we investigated if dogs’ sensitivity to inequity is affected by their capacity for inhibitory control, assessed in a test battery and questionnaire. Overall, dogs showing high compulsivity scores (i.e. repetitive behaviours independent of feedback) were more motivated to participate in the inequity task independent of the rewarding scheme. Dogs were more sensitive to inequity and individual contrast if they exhibited a slower decision speed in the inhibition tasks. Furthermore, less persistent and more impulsive dogs were more sensitive to reward inequity, potentially due to having a lower tolerance level for frustration. Results indicate that aspects of inhibitory control can explain the variation in dogs’ inequity response, highlighting one of the mechanisms underlying responses to inequity. Emphasising the importance to design paradigms, which allow us to disentangle capacities to recognise inequity from the inability to react to it due to poor inhibitory control abilities.