An exploratory study of the neural mechanisms of decision making in compulsive hoarding

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Tolin ◽  
K. A. Kiehl ◽  
P. Worhunsky ◽  
G. A. Book ◽  
N. Maltby
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Compulsive Hoarding ◽  
Experimental Psychopathology ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Neural Underpinnings

BackgroundPrior studies have suggested unique patterns of neural activity associated with compulsive hoarding. However, to date no studies have examined the process of making actual decisions about whether to keep or discard possessions in patients with hoarding symptoms. An increasing body of clinical data and experimental psychopathology research suggests that hoarding is associated with impaired decision making; therefore, it is important to understand the neural underpinnings of decision-making abnormalities in hoarding patients.MethodTwelve adult patients diagnosed with compulsive hoarding, 17% of whom also met criteria for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and 12 matched healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while making decisions about whether or not to discard personal paper items (e.g. junk mail) brought to the laboratory as well as control items that did not belong to them. Items were either saved or destroyed following each decision.ResultsWhen deciding about whether to keep or discard personal possessions, compulsive hoarding participants displayed excessive hemodynamic activity in lateral orbitofrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus. Among hoarding participants, decisions to keep personal possessions were associated with greater activity in superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, precentral gyrus, and cerebellum than were decisions to discard personal possessions.ConclusionsThese results provide partial support for an emerging model of compulsive hoarding based on complications of the decision-making process. They also suggest that compulsive hoarding may be characterized by focal deficits in the processing of reward and changes in reward contingencies, particularly when these are perceived to be punishing.

scholarly journals Sensory perception in autism: an fMRI ALE meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazia Jassim ◽  
Simon Baron-Cohen ◽  
John Suckling
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Likelihood Estimation ◽  
Sensory Perception ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Occipital Cortex ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
And Control ◽  
Lateral Occipital Cortex

Sensory sensitivities occur in up to 90% of autistic individuals. With the recent inclusion of sensory symptoms in the diagnostic criteria for autism, there is a current need to develop neural hypotheses related to autistic sensory perception. Using activation likelihood estimation (ALE), we meta-analysed 52 task-based fMRI studies investigating differences between autistic (n=891) and control (n=967) participants during non-social sensory perception. During complex perception, autistic groups showed more activity in the secondary somatosensory and occipital cortices, insula, caudate, superior temporal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobule, while control groups showed more activity in the frontal and parietal regions. During basic sensory processing, autistic groups showed hyperactivity in the lateral occipital cortex, primary somatosensory and motor cortices, insula, caudate, and thalamus, while controls showed heightened activity in the precentral gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, precuneus, and anterior cingulate cortex. We conclude that autistic individuals, on average, show distinct engagement of sensory-related brain networks during sensory perception. These findings may help guide future research to focus on relevant neurobiological mechanisms underpinning the autistic experience.

Neurobiology and Treatment of Compulsive Hoarding

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S14) ◽  
pp. 29-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjaya Saxena
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Compulsive Hoarding ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Prefrontal Cortical ◽  
Heritable Phenotype ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorder

AbstractCompulsive hoarding is a common and often disabling neuropsychiatric disorder. This article reviews the phenomenology, etiology, neurobiology, and treatment of compulsive hoarding. Compulsive hoarding is part of a discrete clinical syndrome that includes difficulty discarding, urges to save, clutter, excessive acquisition, indecisiveness, perfectionism, procrastination, disorganization, and avoidance. Epidemiological and taxometric studies indicate that compulsive hoarding is a separate but related obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder that is frequently comorbid with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsive hoarding is a genetically discrete, strongly heritable phenotype. Neuroimaging and neuropsychological studies indicate that compulsive hoarding is neurobiologically distinct from OCD and implicate dysfunction of the anterior cingulate cortex and other ventral and medial prefrontal cortical areas that mediate decision-making, attention, and emotional regulation. Effective treatments for compulsive hoarding include pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. More research will be required to determine the etiology and pathophysiology of compulsive hoarding, and to develop better treatments for this disorder.

scholarly journals Distinction of self-produced touch and social touch at cortical and spinal cord levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (6) ◽  
pp. 2290-2299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Boehme ◽  
Steven Hauser ◽  
Gregory J. Gerling ◽  
Markus Heilig ◽  
Håkan Olausson
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Differential Encoding ◽  
Social Touch ◽  
Tactile Stimuli ◽  
The Individual

Differentiation between self-produced tactile stimuli and touch by others is necessary for social interactions and for a coherent concept of “self.” The mechanisms underlying this distinction are unknown. Here, we investigated the distinction between self- and other-produced light touch in healthy volunteers using three different approaches: fMRI, behavioral testing, and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) at spinal and cortical levels. Using fMRI, we found self–other differentiation in somatosensory and sociocognitive areas. Other-touch was related to activation in several areas, including somatosensory cortex, insula, superior temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, striatum, amygdala, cerebellum, and prefrontal cortex. During self-touch, we instead found deactivation in insula, anterior cingulate cortex, superior temporal gyrus, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, and prefrontal areas. Deactivation extended into brain areas encoding low-level sensory representations, including thalamus and brainstem. These findings were replicated in a second cohort. During self-touch, the sensorimotor cortex was functionally connected to the insula, and the threshold for detection of an additional tactile stimulus was elevated. Differential encoding of self- vs. other-touch during fMRI correlated with the individual self-concept strength. In SEP, cortical amplitudes were reduced during self-touch, while latencies at cortical and spinal levels were faster for other-touch. We thus demonstrated a robust self–other distinction in brain areas related to somatosensory, social cognitive, and interoceptive processing. Signs of this distinction were evident at the spinal cord. Our results provide a framework for future studies in autism, schizophrenia, and emotionally unstable personality disorder, conditions where symptoms include social touch avoidance and poor self-vs.-other discrimination.

scholarly journals Increased fronto-striatal reward prediction errors moderate decision making in obsessive–compulsive disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 1246-1258 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. U. Hauser ◽  
R. Iannaccone ◽  
R. J. Dolan ◽  
J. Ball ◽  
J. Hättenschwiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Prediction Errors ◽  
Learning Mechanisms ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Reward Prediction ◽  
Reinforcement Learning Models

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) has been linked to functional abnormalities in fronto-striatal networks as well as impairments in decision making and learning. Little is known about the neurocognitive mechanisms causing these decision-making and learning deficits in OCD, and how they relate to dysfunction in fronto-striatal networks.MethodWe investigated neural mechanisms of decision making in OCD patients, including early and late onset of disorder, in terms of reward prediction errors (RPEs) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. RPEs index a mismatch between expected and received outcomes, encoded by the dopaminergic system, and are known to drive learning and decision making in humans and animals. We used reinforcement learning models and RPE signals to infer the learning mechanisms and to compare behavioural parameters and neural RPE responses of the OCD patients with those of healthy matched controls.ResultsPatients with OCD showed significantly increased RPE responses in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the putamen compared with controls. OCD patients also had a significantly lower perseveration parameter than controls.ConclusionsEnhanced RPE signals in the ACC and putamen extend previous findings of fronto-striatal deficits in OCD. These abnormally strong RPEs suggest a hyper-responsive learning network in patients with OCD, which might explain their indecisiveness and intolerance of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Altered Spontaneous Brain Activity in Somatic Symptom Disorder: A Resting-state fMRI Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangyang Cui ◽  
Huai-Bin Liang ◽  
Qian Zhu ◽  
Zhaoxia Qin ◽  
Yue Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resting State ◽  
Somatic Symptom ◽  
Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Cingulate Gyrus ◽  
Medical Disorders ◽  
Medial Frontal Gyrus ◽  
The Right

Abstract Background: Somatic symptom disorders (SSDs) are common medical disorders characterized by various biological, social, and psychological pathogenic factors. Little is known about the neural correlations of SSD. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the dysfunction in 45 patients with SSD and in 43 controls by combining the regional homogeneity (ReHo) amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) methods based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Compared to the controls, the patients with SSD exhibited significantly greater ReHo in the right cingulate gyrus and smaller ReHo in the right precuneus, left inferior and temporal gyrus extending to the left middle temporal gyrus and left parahippocampal gyrus, and right pons. The SSD patients showed higher ALFF values in the cingulate gyrus extending to the left medial frontal gyrus, right insula extending to the right inferior frontal gyrus, and left medial frontal gyrus extending to the left anterior cingulate cortex. Conclusions: These dysfunction areas seem to have a particular importance for the occurrence of SSD, which may result in dysfunction in self-relevant processes, emotional processing, multimodal integration, arousal, interoception, and body perception.

Obsessive–Compulsive Behaviour: A Disorder of Decision-Making

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 757-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perminder S. Sachdev ◽  
Gin S. Malhi
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Emotional Valence ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Compulsive Behaviour ◽  
History Of

Objective: Compulsive individuals are habitually indecisive, and indecision reaches its pathological apex in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). With the increasing interest in the neurobiology of decision-making, it may be useful to conceptualize OCD as a disorder of decision-making. Method: A selective review of the neurobiological studies of the decision-making process was performed, and the convergence with the understanding of the neurobiology of OCD examined. Results: The dorsolateral, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices are engaged in multiregion neural subsystems that interact with each other to retain information online, manipulate options, make choices and maintain goals. These interact with the limbic regions, especially the amygdala, in relation to history of reward and emotional valence relating to a choice, and the basal ganglia for behavioural execution. Abnormalities in these regions also characterize OCD and related disorders, therefore leading to problems in making some decisions that are affect-laden by nature or association. Conclusion: Conceptualizing OCD as a disorder of decision-making leads to new approaches for its investigation, and novel strategies for both physical and behavioural– cognitive treatments.

Frontotemporal resting state hypoperfusion in patients with major depression - a study using arterial spin labeling

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 961-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Walther ◽  
O. Höfle ◽  
A. Federspiel ◽  
H. Horn ◽  
W. Strik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Arterial Spin Labeling ◽  
Superior Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Spin Labeling ◽  
Depression Score ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
The Right ◽  
Left Middle

IntroductionMajor depression is associated with altered neural function in frontal and limbic areas.ObjectivesThe findings have been inconsistent, especially those derived from cerebral blood flow (CBF) measures.AimsTo identify differences in regional CBF between patients and controls using arterial spin labeling (ASL) at rest.Methods20 patients with major depression and 20 matched healthy controls were scanned in the morning with a pCASL-sequence at a 3 T Siemens scanner. Mean Hamilton Depression Score (21 item version) was 26.2 ± 5.7 for patients, mean Beck Depression Inventory scores were 28.9 ± 8.9. Mean age did not differ between groups (39.6 vs. 44.4 years). Whole brain voxelwise T-Tests were correct for multiple comparisons using a False Discovery Rate of q < 0.05.ResultsMean global resting CBF was not different between groups (66.1 vs. 63.0 ml/100 mg/min, T = 0.95, p = 0.35). FDR correction at q < 0.05 led to a T-value threshold of 3.71 (p < 0.001) for group comparison. Hypoperfusion in patients was detected in left middle temporal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, right precentral gyrus. Hyperperfusion in patients was seen in the right superior temporal gyrus.ConclusionsASL revealed frontotemporal hypoperfusion in patients with major depression. This is in line with previous work and the current concept of depression. However, we were unable to replicate hyperperfusion in limibic areas.

Multisensory Cortical Signal Increases and Decreases During Vestibular Galvanic Stimulation (fMRI)

2001 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 886-899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Bense ◽  
Thomas Stephan ◽  
Tarek A. Yousry ◽  
Thomas Brandt ◽  
Marianne Dieterich
Keyword(s):  
Blood Oxygenation ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Middle Temporal Gyrus ◽  
Frontal Eye Field ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Precentral Gyrus ◽  
Bold Signal ◽  
Ocular Motor ◽  
Vestibular Cortex ◽  
Middle Temporal

Functional magnetic resonance imaging blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal increases (activations) and BOLD signal decreases (“deactivations”) were compared in six healthy volunteers during galvanic vestibular (mastoid) and galvanic cutaneous (neck) stimulation in order to differentiate vestibular from ocular motor and nociceptive functions. By calculating the contrast for vestibular activation minus cutaneous activation for the group, we found activations in the anterior parts of the insula, the paramedian and dorsolateral thalamus, the putamen, the inferior parietal lobule [Brodmann area (BA) 40], the precentral gyrus (frontal eye field, BA 6), the middle frontal gyrus (prefrontal cortex, BA 46/9), the middle temporal gyrus (BA 37), the superior temporal gyrus (BA 22), and the anterior cingulate gyrus (BA 32) as well as in both cerebellar hemispheres. These activations can be attributed to multisensory vestibular and ocular motor functions. Single-subject analysis in addition showed distinctly nonoverlapping activations in the posterior insula, which corresponds to the parieto-insular vestibular cortex in the monkey. During vestibular stimulation, there was also a significant signal decrease in the visual cortex (BA 18, 19), which spared BA 17. A different “deactivation” was found during cutaneous stimulation; it included upper parieto-occipital areas in the middle temporal and occipital gyri (BA 19/39/18). Under both stimulation conditions, there were signal decreases in the somatosensory cortex (BA 2/3/4). Stimulus-dependent, inhibitory vestibular-visual, and nociceptive-somatosensory interactions may be functionally significant for processing perception and sensorimotor control.

scholarly journals Effects of Category-Specific Costs on Neural Systems for Perceptual Decision-Making

2010 ◽  
Vol 103 (6) ◽  
pp. 3238-3247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Fleming ◽  
Louise Whiteley ◽  
Oliver J. Hulme ◽  
Maneesh Sahani ◽  
Raymond J. Dolan
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Extrastriate Cortex ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Perceptual Decision Making ◽  
Decision Criteria ◽  
Specific Cost ◽  
Perceptual Decision ◽  
Sensory Evidence ◽  
The Brain

Perceptual judgments are often biased by prospective losses, leading to changes in decision criteria. Little is known about how and where sensory evidence and cost information interact in the brain to influence perceptual categorization. Here we show that prospective losses systematically bias the perception of noisy face-house images. Asymmetries in category-specific cost were associated with enhanced blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal in a frontoparietal network. We observed selective activation of parahippocampal gyrus for changes in category-specific cost in keeping with the hypothesis that loss functions enact a particular task set that is communicated to visual regions. Across subjects, greater shifts in decision criteria were associated with greater activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Our results support a hypothesis that costs bias an intermediate representation between perception and action, expressed via general effects on frontal cortex, and selective effects on extrastriate cortex. These findings indicate that asymmetric costs may affect a neural implementation of perceptual decision making in a similar manner to changes in category expectation, constituting a step toward accounting for how prospective losses are flexibly integrated with sensory evidence in the brain.

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