Alterations of the default mode network connectivity in obsessive–compulsive personality disorder: A pilot study. (30th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Coutinho, Joana; Goncalves, Oscar Filipe; Soares, José Miguel; Marques, Paulo; Sampaio, Adriana
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 256(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-10-30
• Subjects: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder -- Neuroimaging -- Functional MRI -- Default-mode network -- Functional connectivity; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Brain -- Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; Cerveau -- Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; 616.890754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.08.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-4927

Abstract

Abstract: Obsessive-compulsive personality (OCPD) disorder is characterized by a pattern of excessive self-control, perfectionism and behavioral and cognitive rigidity. Despite the fact that OCPD is the most common personality disorder in the general population, published studies looking at the brain correlates of this disorder are practically nonexistent. The main goal of this study was to analyze the presence of brain alterations in OCPD when compared to healthy controls, specifically at the level of the Default Mode Network (DMN). The DMN is a well-established resting state network which was found to be associated with psychological processes that may play a key role in OCPD (e.g., self-awareness, episodic future thinking and mental simulation). Ten individuals diagnosed with OCPD and ten healthy controls underwent a clinical assessment interview and a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition. The results show that OCPD patients presented an increased functional connectivity in the precuneus (i.e., a posterior node of the DMN), known to be involved in the retrieval manipulation of past events in order to solve current problems and develop plans for the future. These results suggest that this key node of the DMN may play an important role in the pathophysiology of OCPD. Highlights: OCPD is characterized by excessive self-control, perfectionism and cognitive rigidity. Studies looking at the brain correlates of OCPD are nonexistent. Default Mode activity is involved in processes altered in OCPD. OCPD patients presented an increased functional connectivity in the precuneus.