The differential impact of executive attention dysfunction on episodic memory in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients with checking symptoms vs. those with washing symptoms.

Full Abstract

Neuropsychological studies of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have pointed to memory and attention deficits among its sufferers, but these reports have largely ignored the possibility that cognitive disturbances may vary across OCD clinical subtypes, or that their interactions may differ between subtypes. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether "checkers" and "washers" demonstrate differences in their memory and executive attention function. Fifty-three outpatients with primary DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD with typical checking (n=27) or washing (n=26) rituals participated in the study. Patients were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to assess executive attention function. Various neuropsychological tests were then subjected to factor analysis. Neuropsychological test results and obtained factor scores were compared between "washers" and "checkers". Effects of these factor scores on memory by OCD subtypes were examined. No significant difference in terms of demographic and clinical variables was found between the two groups. Checkers displayed performance deficits on Stroop test, Trail Making Test, GO/NO GO test (commission errors) and category fluency. Three factors, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and multi-tasking, were obtained. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups on the inhibition and the cognitive flexibility scores, but not on the general memory or the multi-tasking score. There was a statistically significant interaction between groups and the inhibition score. Only among "checkers", a significant correlation was noted between the inhibition factor and the general memory, while no such correlation was observed among "washers". Among "checkers", poor general memory was related to inhibition deficits.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Omori, Ichiro M (IM); Murata, Yoshie (Y); Yamanishi, Tomoaki (T); Nakaaki, Shutaro (S); Akechi, Tatsuo (T); Mikuni, Masahiko (M); Furukawa, Toshiaki A (TA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Cognitive-Behavioral Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of psychiatric research (J Psychiatr Res), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Nov; vol 41 (issue 9) : pp 776-84

Dates: Created 2007/05/02; Completed 2007/08/03; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16824544, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - etiology
Choice Behavior - physiology
Compulsive Behavior - physiopathology
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Female
Humans

Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - complications
Problem Solving - physiology
Retrospective Studies
Statistics as Topic

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.