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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/5247
- Title
- Executive functions in obsessive-compulsive disorder : state or trait deficits?
- Author(s)
- Bannon, Shelley; Gonsalvez, Craig J.; Croft, Rodney J.; Boyce, Philip M.
- Abstract
- Objective: Despite the neuropsychology literature providing reliable evidence of impaired executive functions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), to date it has not been determined whether these deficits are trait-related (independent of symptomatology) or state-dependent (dependent on symptomatology). The current research examines the executive functions in OCD in a comprehensive manner and, for the first time, assesses the stability of these deficits over the developmental course of the disorder. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, Study 1 examined the executive functions (set shifting, inhibition, planning, verbal fluency and working memory) in 60 subjects (20 actively Symptomatic OCD, 20 Remitted OCD and 20 Panic Disorder). Using a longitudinal design, Study 2 reassessed a subsample of OCD subjects (participants in Study 1) once they reached remitted status. Results: Study 1 found that the OCD groups exhibited deficits in set shifting and inhibition relative to Panic Disorder controls; however, no deficits were observed in planning, verbal fluency or working memory. There were no differences found between the Symptomatic and Remitted OCD groups on any of the executive function measures. Study 2 found that the identified executive function deficits in individuals were stable over time and remained unchanged despite symptom remittance. Conclusion: Current results confirm the presence of specific executive function deficits in OCD, and indicate that these deficits are trait-like in nature.
- Publication type
- Journal article
- Research centre
- Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences. Brain Sciences Institute
- Source
- Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 40, no. 11-12 (2006), p. 1031-1038
- Publication year
- 2006
- Keyword(s)
- Executive function; Longitudinal design; OCD; State; Trait
- Publisher
- Blackwell Publishing
- Format
- 1031-1038
- ISSN
- 0004-8674
- Publisher URL
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1614.2006.01928.x
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2006 The Authors.
- Peer reviewed
