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BackgroundLateralized dysfunction has been suggested in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, it is currently unclear whether OCD is characterized by abnormal patterns of brain structural asymmetry. Here we carried out what is by far the largest study of brain structural asymmetry in OCD.MethodsWe studied a collection of 16 pediatric datasets (501 patients with OCD and 439 healthy control subjects), as well as 30 adult datasets (1777 patients and 1654 control subjects) from the OCD Working Group within the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis) Consortium. Asymmetries of the volumes of subcortical structures, and of measures of regional cortical thickness and surface areas, were assessed based on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans, using harmonized image analysis and quality control protocols. We investigated possible alterations of brain asymmetry in patients with OCD. We also explored potential associations of asymmetry with specific aspects of the disorder and medication status.ResultsIn the pediatric datasets, the largest case-control differences were observed for volume asymmetry of the thalamus (more leftward; Cohen's d = 0.19) and the pallidum (less leftward; d = -0.21). Additional analyses suggested putative links between these asymmetry patterns and medication status, OCD severity, or anxiety and depression comorbidities. No significant case-control differences were found in the adult datasets.ConclusionsThe results suggest subtle changes of the average asymmetry of subcortical structures in pediatric OCD, which are not detectable in adults with the disorder. These findings may reflect altered neurodevelopmental processes in OCD.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the factor structure, and the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). The participants included 214 university students enrolled at two universities in a metropolitan area. They completed the OCI-R and other related scales, and of these, 38 students answered the OCI-R again two weeks later. Based on a factor analysis, the six-factor structure, the same as the original version, was confirmed. For reliability, internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated and both internal consistency and test-retest reliability were confirmed. For convergent validity, we calculated the correlation coefficient using the Japanese version of the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, which measures obsessive-compulsive symptoms. For concurrent validity, we calculated the correlation coefficient using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, which measures depressive symptoms; and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, which measures anxiety symptoms. Overall, the factor structure, the reliability, and the validity of the Japanese version of the OCI-R were all confirmed in this study. In the future, we will investigate whether the same results can be obtained in clinical groups., Author(s): Haruna Koike [sup.1] [sup.2], Aki Tsuchiyagaito [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3], Yoshiyuki Hirano [sup.1] [sup.2], Fumiyo Oshima [sup.1] [sup.2], Kenichi Asano [sup.1] [sup.2], Yoshinori Sugiura [sup.4], Osamu Kobori [sup.5], Ryotaro Ishikawa [...]

Objectives: Hoarding in older adults can have a detrimental effect on daily life. Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) could result in a greater avoidance of discarding and increased saving behaviors; yet, the unique role of RNT on hoarding in older adults remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate whether the intensity of RNT contributes to hoarding in older adults. Methods: Two hundred and sixty-four older adults in Japan (ages 65–86 years, 132 males and 132 females) participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine whether RNT could significantly explain the variance of hoarding after controlling for age, sex, years of education, self-reported cognitive impairment, and depression. Results: As we expected, RNT was significantly associated with greater hoarding behaviors, such as excessive acquisition (β =.27, p =.005) and difficulty in discarding (β =.27, p =.003). On the other hand, reflection, repetitive thinking without negative emotional valence, was significantly associated with higher scores on clutter (β =.36 p <.001). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the importance of addressing RNT in the prevention and treatment of hoarding symptoms among older adults, potentially leading to more effective interventions and improved outcomes in managing hoarding behaviors in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a cognitive process that encompasses past (rumination) and future (worry) directed thoughts focusing on negative experiences and the self, is a transdiagnostic construct that is especially relevant for major depressive disorder (MDD). Severe RNT often occurs in individuals with severe levels of MDD, which makes it challenging to disambiguate the neural circuitry underlying RNT from depression severity. Methods: We used a propensity score, i.e., a conditional probability of having high RNT given observed covariates to match high and low RNT individuals who are similar in the severity of depression, anxiety, and demographic characteristics. Of 148 MDD individuals, we matched high and low RNT groups (n = 50/group) and used a data-driven whole-brain voxel-to-voxel connectivity pattern analysis to investigate the resting-state functional connectivity differences between the groups. Results: There was an association between RNT and connectivity in the bilateral superior temporal sulcus (STS), an important region for speech processing including inner speech. High relative to low RNT individuals showed greater connectivity between right STS and bilateral anterior insular cortex (AI), and between bilateral STS and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Greater connectivity in those regions was specifically related to RNT but not to depression severity. Conclusions: RNT intensity is directly related to connectivity between STS and AI/DLPFC. This might be a mechanism underlying the role of RNT in perceptive, cognitive, speech, and emotional processing. Future investigations will need to determine whether modifying these connectivities could be a treatment target to reduce RNT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]