BackgroundExisting neuropsychological studies of obsessive–compulsive disorder
(OCD) are cross-sectional and do not provide evidence of whether deficits
are trait-related (antecedent and independent of symptomatology) or
state-related (a consequence, dependent on symptomatology).AimsTo investigate whether there are premorbid neuropsychological deficits
associated with adult OCD.MethodLongitudinal data were collected from participants of the Dunedin
Multidisciplinary Health and Developmental study. Neuropsychological data
collected at age 13 were linked with age 32 diagnosis of OCD.ResultsThe group who had OCD at age 32 differed significantly from the control
group with no OCD on their performance at age 13 on neuropsychological
tests of visuospatial, visuoconstructive and visuomotor skills,
controlling for gender and socioeconomic status, but did not differ on
tests of general IQ or verbal ability. Performance of the group with OCD
on tests of executive functioning was mixed.ConclusionsIndividuals with OCD have premorbid impairment in visuospatial abilities
and some forms of executive functioning, consistent with biological
models of OCD.
Anatomical Correlates of Neuropsychological Deficits Among Patients With the Cerebellar Stroke
