NDA@SZTAKI

Visuo-spatial memory impairment in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): from neuropsychological findings to eye-tracking

Demeter, Gyula

Pajkossy, Péter

Szőllősi, Ágnes

Harsányi, András

Csigó, Katalin

Racsmány, Mihály

2014

BF Psychology / lélektan

BF13 Memory and learning / emlékezet, tanulás

RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry / idegkórtan, neurológia, pszichiátria

There is a growing amount of evidence about the deficit of executive system in OCD, which is strongly
related to the fronto-basal loop dysfunctions of the disorder (e.g. Chamberlain et al., 2005; Olley et al.,
2007). In addition to the executive deficit, several studies found impaired visual and spatial memory
performance in this disorder. In an early neuropsychological model, Savage (1998) suggested that
the fronto-striatal dysfunctions along with impaired executive functioning leads to observed memory
difficulties (encoding and retrieval of nonverbal information). Following this suggestion, here we aimed
at investigating visuo-spatial memory functions in a pool of OCD patients in two studies. We combined
neuropsychological tasks and computer based working memory paradigms with eye-tracking methodology.
In Study 1 the Rey Complex Figure Task (RCFT) was used and it was found that OCD patients performed
significantly poorer in the copy and recall phase of the task in comparison with matched healthy control
group. Symptom severity and the level of anxiety were assessed by the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive
Scale (Y-BOCS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. There was a significant negative
correlation between symptom severity (Y-BOCS total scores) and the recall scores of the RCFT. In Study
2 we developed a computer-based Visual Pattern Task to investigate the eye movement correlates of
cognitive processes involved in visuo-spatial working memory function. In addition subjects were also
screened by a neuropsychological test battery including tasks on shifting (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test),
response inhibition (Stop Signal Task, Stroop Task) and working memory capacity functions (n-back Task).
According to our preliminary eye-tracking results, in comparison with healthy control subjects, OCD
patients produced a significant decrease in target-related dwell time scores during the delay phase of the
task. We will discuss the possible relationships between eye movement patterns, cognitive deficits and
symptom severity.

Conference or Workshop Item

PeerReviewed

text

http://real.mtak.hu/26640/1/ICOCS%20OCRN_2014_abstract.pdf

Demeter, Gyula and Pajkossy, Péter and Szőllősi, Ágnes and Harsányi, András and Csigó, Katalin and Racsmány, Mihály (2014) Visuo-spatial memory impairment in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): from neuropsychological findings to eye-tracking. In: ICOCS 9th Scientific Meeting, 22 October, Berlin.

http://real.mtak.hu/26640/