Abstract
Objective
To assess whether diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) interactively alter brain activity, as measured by a Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging.
Method
The sample included adults diagnosed with OCD (n = 915) with a mean age of 34.65 and predominantly male (68.6%) and adults with PTSD (n = 1,481) which had a mean age of 41.33 and was predominantly female (57.2%). Significant differences were observed for gender . Multiple ANCOVAs were conducted to determine differences between cerebral blood flow (CBF)in 17 different brain regions.
Results
Results showed hyper-perfusion in the PTSD group as compared to the OCD group in the pariental L/R[F(1,2393) = 6.47,p < 0.01/F(1,2393) = 12.31,p < .01], motor sensory L/R[F(1,2393) = 19.33,p < .001/F(1,2393) = 17.32,p < .01] and temporal left [F(1,2393) = 12.49,p < .01].
Conclusion
Significantly higher rCBF in the pariental and motor sensory for OCD individuals may be due to visual-constructive and controlled fluency which are usually associated with compulsion. Due to the hyperalert nature related with OCD rituals, these areas are more active when compared to PTSD. Hyperfusion was reported for PTSD in the left temporal lobe compared to OCD, this region is usually associated with registering potential threasts in the environment. This can be explained by the hypervigilant conduct seen in individuals with PTSD. Overall, it appears that individuals with OCD struggle with continual inability to inhibit repetitive thoughts and behaviors due to the over activation in the motor sensory and parietal region. Alternatively, the activation in PTSD individuals can be a result of a way to help them cope with threats in the environment.
Extinction learning in childhood anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder: implications for treatment
