Poster No:
1536
Submission Type:
Abstract Submission
Authors:
Harah Kwon1, Minji Ha2, Sunah Choi2, Sunghyun Park3, Moonyoung Jang3, Minah Kim3, Jun Soo Kwon4
Institutions:
1Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Seoul, 2Seoul National University, Seoul, Seoul, 3Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Seoul, 4Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Seoul
First Author:
Harah Kwon
Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, Seoul
Co-Author(s):
Minji Ha
Seoul National University
Seoul, Seoul
Sunghyun Park
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, Seoul
Moonyoung Jang
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, Seoul
Minah Kim
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, Seoul
Jun Soo Kwon
Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences
Seoul, Seoul
Introduction:
While intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions are the hallmarks of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), new research has shown that the disorder can include a variety of symptom categories. Distinct etiology, treatment responses, and prognoses are demonstrated by unique dimensions such as contamination, symmetry/order, and pure obsessions. Research aiming at understanding the underlying causes has revealed differences in the amygdala according to symptom dimensions, suggesting a relationship between modifications in amygdala function and symptom presentation. The amygdala is a key region for emotional assessment and fear reactions. While the basolateral amygdala is an input area that controls fear learning, the centromedial amygdala, acting as an output area, plays a critical role in fear expression. Recognizing social value is related to the superficial amygdala.
The variability of OCD is partly explained by the different functions that amygdala subregions play in fear processing. Studies show that prognosis varies according to functional connectivity (FC) of particular amygdala subregions at rest. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala show less connection in OCD patients who are responding well to cognitive behavioral therapy. Different amygdala subregions are active in relation to different aspects of OCD symptoms. However, there hasn't been much research done on the connections between amygdala subregions and cortical areas, which are necessary for different function and can explain why symptoms vary in size.
By analyzing the functional connectivity between amygdala subregions and the whole brain in a group of OCD patients who do not take medication, this study aims to decipher the heterogeneity of OCD. The hypothesis is that in the compulsion-focused symptom dimension, there is less connection between the frontal brain and the centromedial amygdala. In addition, the obsession-focused symptom dimension is predicted to show a decrease in connection between the sensorimotor cortex and the basolateral amygdala.
Methods:
110 healthy controls (HCs) and 107 OCD patients had their resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging taken. Using seeds from the amygdala's centromedial, laterobasal, and superficial subregions, whole-brain FC was compared between OCD patients and HCs as well as between the various OCD symptom aspects.
Results:
The three OCD subgroups and the overall OCD and HC groups did not differ significantly in terms of sex, handedness, age, IQ, or years of education. The Y-BOCS total and compulsion scores of patients with contamination/washing-type OCD were greater than those of individuals with the other two OCD subtypes. When compared to healthy controls, individuals with symmetry/ordering/counting/checking-type OCD demonstrated hypoconnectivity between the bilateral superior frontal gyri and left centromedial amygdala. Additionally, when compared to individuals with contamination/washing-type OCD, there was hypoconnectivity between the left frontal cortex and left centromedial amygdala.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that the compulsion-focused presentation of OCD may be caused by a defect in the control of behavioral responses to emotion processing resulting from hypoconnectivity between the centromedial amygdala and frontal cortex. Our findings highlight the potential importance of comprehending the brain bases of various OCD manifestations, which may open the door to future treatment approaches that are more individualized and focused.
Modeling and Analysis Methods:
Connectivity (eg. functional, effective, structural) 1
Task-Independent and Resting-State Analysis 2
Keywords:
FUNCTIONAL MRI
Obessive Compulsive Disorder
Other - Amygdala
1|2Indicates the priority used for review
Provide references using author date format
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