Specific facial emotion recognition deficits across the course of psychosis: A comparison of individuals with low-risk, high-risk, first-episode psychosis and multi-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.

Our study aimed to explore the recognition of specific emotions across the course of psychosis. A visual task representing the six basic emotions was used to assess facial emotion recognition (FER) in 204 healthy controls classified into 152 low-risk (LR) and 52 high-risk for psychosis (HR), following a psychometric risk approach; and 100 patients: 44 with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 56 with multi-episode schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (MES). First, we performed a MANCOVA to compare the four conditions. Next, we conducted a logistic regression to explore whether specific FER deficits predicted the presence of psychosis. Finally, we investigated the relationships of FER with psychosis-like experiences (PLEs) and psychotic symptoms. Global FER, anger and fear recognition were impaired in HR, FEP and MES. No differences between HR and FEP appeared. Moreover, fear and anger correctly classified 83% of individuals into LR or psychosis. FER was associated with PLEs and psychotic symptoms. Concluding, FER is early impaired in HR individuals and increases along the psychosis continuum. However, fear recognition is similarly impaired throughout the illness, suggesting a possible vulnerability marker. Furthermore, deficits in anger and fear recognition predicted the presence of psychosis. Therefore, we suggest that FER may be essential in detecting psychosis risk.

Self-reported cognitive biases in psychosis: Validation of the Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS) in a Spanish sample of psychotic patients and healthy controls.

Cognitive biases have been demonstrated to be important in developing and maintaining psychosis. However, self-report measures for everyday clinical practice have been developed only recently. We aimed to study one of these instruments for assessing cognitive biases: the Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS). In a Spanish sample of 84 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and 152 healthy controls, we examined a) the factor structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to test the original one-, three- and seven-factor solutions, b) the reliability (Cronbach's alpha), c) the discriminative power (Multivariate Analysis of Covariance - MANCOVA) and d) the relationships of cognitive biases with positive psychotic-like experiences (PPLEs) in healthy individuals and with psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia-spectrum patients. The CFA revealed that the seven-factor solution achieved the best fit. The DACOBS overall scale (Cronbach's alpha = .92) and subscales obtained good internal consistencies. MANCOVA, controlling for age and education, demonstrated that all subscales differentiated between healthy controls and psychotic patients (Wilks' Lambda = 0.87; F7, 226 = 4.70; p < .000; partial eta squared = 0.13). In addition, the DACOBS showed high correlations with PPLEs (controls) and moderate correlations with positive and general symptoms (patients), demonstrating its predictive validity. Concluding, the DACOBS proved to be a psychometrically suitable instrument for assessing cognitive biases in psychosis and adequately differentiated between patients and healthy individuals within the Spanish population. Norm scores are provided.

Attachment Dimensions predict Social Functioning in persons with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders, regardless of Symptom Severity.

Attachment patterns and early-life adversities are relevant to understand the role of psychosocial factors in the vulnerability and the development of psychosis. The first aim of the study was to test whether a dimensional attachment instrument, the CAMIR (from French; Cartes: Modèles Individuels de Relation), may differentiate attachment styles by comparing a group of psychotic patients with a non-clinical sample. Also, we hypothesised that attachment dimensions would predict Social Functioning (SF) within the clinical group.

Las dimensiones del apego predicenel funcionamiento social en personascon trastornos del espectro de laesquizofrenia, independientemente dela gravedad de los síntomas / Attachment Dimensions predict Social Functioning in persons with Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders, regardless of Symptom Severity

Introducción: Los patrones de apego y las adversidadesen la infancia son relevantes para entender la vulnerabilidady desarrollo de la psicosis. El primer objetivo del estudio fueprobar si una medida dimensional del apego, el CAMIR, puede diferenciar los estilos de apego comparando un grupo depacientes psicóticos con una muestra no clínica. Hipotetizamos que las dimensiones del apego predecirían el Funcionamiento Social (FS) dentro del grupo clínico.Método. 79 personas fueron evaluadas con la versiónespañola reducida (CAMIR-R). El alfa de Cronbach se utilizó para probar su fiabilidad. Se realizaron pruebas t paraevaluar diferencias entre grupos. Se ejecutaron múltiples regresiones lineales y análisis de mediación para explorar losposibles predictores del FS.Resultados. Se encontró mayor apego inseguro en elgrupo clínico (73.8% versus 33.3%). Las dimensiones delapego diferenciaron ambas muestras con grandes tamaños del efecto. La psicopatología y la interferencia parental pronosticaron el FS general (R2 = 0.30; p < 0.05) y lapreocupación familiar predijo mayor aislamiento social (R2= 0.19; p = 0.02) y peor situación ocupacional (R2 = 0.45;p < 0.01). Permisividad parental y traumatismo infantilpredijeron peor nivel educativo (R2 = 0.31; p < 0.05). Losanálisis de mediación revelaron un efecto directo de lasdimensiones del apego sobre el FS, independientementede los síntomas.Conclusiones. El CAMIR-R resultó fiable para evaluar el apego en psicosis. Las personas con trastornos psicóticos muestranimportantes déficits en FS y mayor prevalencia de apego inseguro. Varias dimensiones del apego predicen áreas específicas del FS, independientemente de la gravedad de los síntomas. (AU)

Introduction: Attachment patterns and early-lifeadversities are relevant to understand the role of psychosocialfactors in the vulnerability and the development ofpsychosis. The first aim of the study was to test whethera dimensional attachment instrument, the CAMIR (fromFrench; Cartes: Modèles Individuels de Relation), maydifferentiate attachment styles by comparing a group ofpsychotic patients with a non-clinical sample. Also, wehypothesised that attachment dimensions would predictSocial Functioning (SF) within the clinical group.Methods. Seventy-nine persons were assessed by thereduced Spanish version (CAMIR-R). We used Cronbach’ alphato test reliability. A t-test was performed to assess differencesbetween groups. Multiple linear regressions and Mediationanalyses were conducted within the clinical group to exploreattachment dimensions as possible predictors of SF.Results. A more insecure attachment was found in theclinical group (73.8% versus 33.3%). Attachment dimensionsdifferentiated between both samples with large effect sizes.Psychopathology and parental interference predicted generalSF (R² = 0.30; p < 0.05) as family concern predicted moresocial isolation (R² = 0.19; p = 0.02) and worse employmentstatus (R² = 0.45; p < 0.01). Parental permissiveness and child traumatism inversely predicted educational level (R² = 0.31;p < 0.05). Mediation analyses revealed that attachmentdimensions were linked to SF regardless of symptoms.Conclusions. CAMIR-R was reliable to assess attachmentin psychosis. Persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disordersshow a significant impaired SF and a higher prevalence ofinsecure attachment. Several attachment dimensions predictspecific areas of SF, regardless of symptom severity. (AU)

Attributional Styles and Social Functioning in Schizophrenia. Is the Learned Helplessness Model Suitable? / Los estilos atribucionales y el funcionamiento social en la esquizofrenia. ¿Es adecuado el modelo de la indefensión aprendida?

We tried to verify whether the reformulated Learned Helplessness Model and its more fully articulated form, the Hopelessness Theory of Depression, were adequate to predict symptoms and social functioning (SF) in persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders by comparing a clinical group (n = 25) with a non-clinical one (n = 30). Bivariate correlations and multiple linear regressions were conducted to assess relationships between the Attribution Styles Questionnaire (ASQ), clinical variables, and SF within the clinical group. Differences between groups were found for most of attributional dimensions. A "pessimistic style" predicted depression within the clinical group. An unstable attribution bias predicted positive symptoms. General psychopathology and a global attribution style predicted 50% of the variance in general SF. The Learned Helplessness Model was suitable to predict depression regardless of psychotic symptoms and may be useful to predict clinical symptoms and SF in persons with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Clinical and theoretical implications were discussed

El estudio analizó la adecuación del modelo de Indefensión Aprendida y la Teoría de la Desesperanza para predecir síntomas y funcionamiento social (FS) en personas con trastornos psicóticos comparando un grupo clínico (n = 25) con una muestra no-clínica (n = 30). Se calcularon correlaciones bivariadas y regresiones lineales para evaluar relaciones entre el cuestionario de Estilos Atribucionales (ASQ), variables clínicas y FS dentro del grupo clínico. Se encontraron diferencias para la mayoría de las dimensiones atribucionales. Un "estilo pesimista" predijo la depresión dentro del grupo clínico. Un sesgo de atribución inestable predijo los síntomas positivos. La psicopatología y un estilo de atribución global predijeron un 50% de la varianza del FS. El modelo de Indefensión Aprendida resultó adecuado para predecir la depresión independientemente de los síntomas psicóticos y fue útil prediciendo los síntomas clínicos y el FS en personas con trastornos del espectro de la esquizofrenia. Se discuten las implicaciones teóricas y clínicas

The centrality of secure attachment within an interacting network of symptoms, cognition, and attachment dimensions in persons with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Research in the field of psychosis broadly suggests that symptoms, neurocognitive deficits, social cognition, cognitive biases, and attachment experiences influence each other. However, little is known if any of these constructions play a more central role than others as they interact. METHOD: To clarify this issue, we conducted a "network" analysis to explore the interplay among a set of variables related to attachment, cognition domains, and psychotic symptoms in a small sample of outpatients with stabilised schizophrenia-spectrum disorders (n = 25). Eighteen participants (72%) were first-episode patients. We assessed psychotic symptoms, attachment dimensions, neurocognitive performance, "theory of mind", emotion recognition, and "jumping to conclusions" bias using standardised instruments. RESULTS: The study provides preliminary evidence about a network structure in which the secure attachment (SA) is the most central "node" within the interacting network considering all centrality measures, followed by general psychopathology. SA was closely connected to self-sufficiency (avoidant attachment) and child traumatism, as well as with neurocognition. Emotion recognition impairment was the most robust connection to positive symptoms and mediated the influence of SA on psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond the importance of symptoms, our results, although preliminary, suggest the need to assess attachment experiences and cognition domains to improve specific interventions that can promote recovery in outpatients with psychosis.

Cognición en la esquizofrenia. Estado actual de la cuestión (I): métodos de evaluación y correlatos neurales / Cognition in schizophrenia. State of the art (I): assessment methods and neural correlates

La investigación sugiere que los síntomas, la neurocognición y la cognición social se influyen mutuamente y se relacionan, a su vez, con el funcionamiento psicosocial en la esquizofrenia. La medida de los déficits neurocognitivos se ha desarrollado notablemente con el protocolo “MATRICS”. Estos déficits se han relacionado con un funcionamiento anormal de la corteza prefrontal dorsolateral y con defectos en su conectividad con otras áreas cerebrales. Por otro lado, el deterioro de la cognición social se ha vinculado al llamado “cerebro social” y se ha relacionado con los síntomas y el funcionamiento psicosocial. La atención, memoria y función ejecutiva parecen alteradas en la esquizofrenia, relacionándose con un funcionamiento anormal de estructuras cerebrales y su conectividad entre ellas. Déficits en diferentes dominios de la cognición social, vinculados al llamado “cerebro social”, se apuntan como un posible marcador endofenotípico de la esquizofrenia. No obstante, problemas tanto metodológicos como conceptuales impiden asumir estas conclusiones como definitivas

Research suggests that symptoms, neurocognition and social cognition influence each other and are related to psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia. The measurement of neurocognitive deficits in schizophrenia has been remarkably developed with the "MATRICS" protocol. In addition, these impairments have been linked to abnormal functioning of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and problems in its connectivity with other brain areas. On the other hand, deficits in social cognition have been linked to the so-called "social brain" and have been related to symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Attention, memory and executive function seem to be altered in schizophrenia, relating to abnormal functioning of brain structures and their connectivity between them. Impairments in different social cognitive domains, linked to the so-called "social brain", could be an endophenotypic marker of schizophrenia. However, possible methodological and conceptual issues prevent to take these conclusions as definitive

Cognición en la esquizofrenia. Estado actual de la cuestión (II): sesgos cognitivos, modelos explicativos y programas de intervención / Cognition in schizophrenia. State of the art (II): cognitive biases, explana-tory models, and intervention programs

La investigación sugiere que los síntomas, la neurocognición y la cognición social (CS) se influyen mutuamente y se relacionan a su vez con el funcionamiento psicosocial en la esquizofrenia. Tanto los déficits neurocognitivos como en CS podrían tener mayor responsabilidad que los síntomas clínicos sobre el funcionamiento social. Distintos sesgos de razonamiento cognitivo, como el “salto a conclusiones”, contribuyen a la formación y mantenimiento de los síntomas, y al funcionamiento en la vida real. La rehabilitación cognitiva ha mostrado cierta utilidad en la mejora de la cognición y del funcionamiento en las habilidades de la vida diaria de las personas con psicosis a través de sus posibles efectos sobre la neuroplasticidad cerebral. Diferentes programas, como el Entrenamiento Metacognitivo, aparecen como intervenciones prometedoras para mejorar los sesgos de razonamiento. La neurocognición, la CS y ciertos sesgos de razonamiento se interrelacionan para predecir el funcionamiento social en la esquizofrenia. Distintas intervenciones podrían mejorar estos procesos a través de sus efectos sobre la neuroplasticidad cerebral. No obstante, a pesar del creciente cuerpo de investigación, los resultados distan de ser concluyentes

Research suggests that symptoms, neurocognition and social cognition (SC) influence each other and are related to psychosocial functioning. Both neurocognitive (especially in verbal memory) and SC impairments could have greater responsibility than clinical symptoms on social functioning in schizophrenia. Different biases of cognitive reasoning, such as "jumping to conclusions", contribute both to the formation and main-tenance of symptoms and to the functioning in daily life. Cognitive rehabilitation has demonstrated its usefulness in improving cognition, symptoms, and daily life skills in people with psychosis through its effects on brain neuroplasticity. Different programs, such as Metacognitive Training (MCT), appear as promising interventions to improve the typical reasoning biases involved in psychotic disorders. Neurocognition, social cognition and certain reasoning biases interrelate to predict social functioning in schizophrenia. Different psychosocial interventions could improve these processes through their effects on brain neuroplasticity. However, despite the growing body of research, the results are far from being definitive

Personality disorders in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a comparative study versus other anxiety disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to provide evidence for the relationship between personality disorders (PDs), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other anxiety disorders different from OCD (non-OCD) symptomatology. METHOD: The sample consisted of a group of 122 individuals divided into three groups (41 OCD; 40 non-OCD, and 41 controls) matched by sex, age, and educational level. All the individuals answered the IPDE questionnaire and were evaluated by means of the SCID-I and SCID-II interviews. RESULTS: Patients with OCD and non-OCD present a higher presence of PD. There was an increase in cluster C diagnoses in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: Presenting anxiety disorder seems to cause a specific vulnerability for PD. Most of the PDs that were presented belonged to cluster C. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) is the most common among OCD. However, it does not occur more frequently among OCD patients than among other anxious patients, which does not confirm the continuum between obsessive personality and OCD. Implications for categorical and dimensional diagnoses are discussed.

¿Psicoterapia, farmacoterapia o tratamiento combinado? Influencia de diferentes variables clínicasen la elección del tratamiento / Psychotherpay, pharmacotherapy or combined treatment? Influence of different clinical variables in the election of treatment

Introducción: Se pretenden investigar las principales variables que influyen en la elección de las diferentes intervenciones terapéuticas en una Unidad de Salud Mental pública (AU)

Introduction: The present work aims to investigate the main variables that influence the election of therapeutic interventions used in a public Mental Health Unit (AU)

[Involvement of the thalamic-cortical-striatal circuit in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder during an inhibitory control task with reward and punishment contingencies]. / Implicación del circuito corticoestriadotalámico en pacientes con trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo durante una tarea de control inhibitorio con contingencias de recompensa y castigo.

INTRODUCTION: Recent neuroimaging studies conducted on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) show alterations in the fronto-thalamic-striatal circuit, which would give rise to an executive dysfunction. This could be the neurocognitive substrate underlying the main symptoms of OCD, i.e. obsessions and compulsions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Both brain activity and behavioural performance of a group of 13 patients with OCD were compared with a control group of 13 healthy subjects by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing an inhibitory control task with reward and punishment contingencies. The effects of medication were also analysed. RESULTS: The intra-group analyses showed a longer reaction time during the go/no go condition in both groups, although there were no differences between the groups in the performance of the task. With regard to this task, significant activation of large areas of the cerebellum and the occipital, temporal and parietal lobes was observed in the healthy subjects. In comparison with the controls, the obsessive patients showed lower activation in the right-side frontal medial and superior gyri, the anterior cingulate cortex and the caudate nucleus, and greater activation in the inferior parietal convolution and the fusiform gyrus. The effects of medication were found in the frontal cortex and basal structures. CONCLUSIONS: These results agree with the argument claiming that the dysfunction in the corticostriatal system in OCD is associated to diminished brain activity in response to cognitive tasks.

Implicación del circuito corticoestriadotalámico en pacientes con trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo durante una tarea de control inhibitorio con contingencias de recompensa y castigo / Involvement of the thalamic-cortical-striatal circuit in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder during an inhibitory control task with reward and punishment contingencies

Introducción. Estudios recientes sobre neuroimagen en el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC) muestran alteraciones en el circuito frontoestriadotalámico, lo que daría lugar a una disfunción ejecutiva. Éste podría ser el sustrato neurocognitivo de los síntomas principales del TOC: obsesiones y compulsiones. Sujetos y métodos. Se comparó tanto la activación cerebral como el rendimiento conductual de un grupo de 13 pacientes con TOC comparado con un grupo control de 13 sujetos sanos a través de resonancia magnética funcional durante la ejecución de una tarea de control inhibitorio con contingencias de recompensa y castigo. Los efectos de la medicación también se analizaron. Resultados. Los análisis intragrupo mostraron un tiempo de reacción más largo durante la condición de go/no go en ambos grupos, aunque no hubo diferencias entre los grupos en la ejecución de la tarea. En relación con dicha tarea, se observó, en los sujetos sanos, una activación significativa de grandes áreas del cerebelo y de los lóbulos occipital, temporal y parietal. En comparación con los controles, los pacientes obsesivos mostraron una activación reducida en los giros frontal medial y superior derechos, la corteza cingulada anterior y el núcleo caudado, y una mayor activación en la circunvolución parietal inferior y el giro fusiforme. Se encontraron efectos de la medicación en la corteza frontal y estructuras basales. Conclusiones. Estos resultados están de acuerdo con el argumento de que la disfunción en el sistema corticoestriado en el TOC se asocia a una disminución de la actividad cerebral en respuesta a tareas cognitivas (AU)

Introduction. Recent neuroimaging studies conducted on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) show alterations in the fronto-thalamic-striatal circuit, which would give rise to an executive dysfunction. This could be the neurocognitive substrate underlying the main symptoms of OCD, i.e. obsessions and compulsions. Subjects and methods. Both brain activity and behavioural performance of a group of 13 patients with OCD were compared with a control group of 13 healthy subjects by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing an inhibitory control task with reward and punishment contingencies. The effects of medication were also analysed. esults. The intra-group analyses showed a longer reaction time during the go/no go condition in both groups, although there were no differences between the groups in the performance of the task. With regard to this task, significant activation of large areas of the cerebellum and the occipital, temporal and parietal lobes was observed in the healthy subjects. In comparison with the controls, the obsessive patients showed lower activation in the right-side frontal medial and superior gyri, the anterior cingulate cortex and the caudate nucleus, and greater activation in the inferior parietal convolution and the fusiform gyrus. The effects of medication were found in the frontal cortex and basal structures. Conclusions. These results agree with the argument claiming that the dysfunction in the corticostriatal system in OCD is associated to diminished brain activity in response to cognitive tasks (AU)

[The neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: new findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (II)]. / Neurobiología del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo: aportaciones desde la resonancia magnética funcional (II).

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, neuroscience has shown a growing interest in applying its methods to furthering the knowledge of psychiatric disorders, and one of the fundamental tools used to do so are neuroimaging techniques. Yet, in general, few studies have been conducted in which functional magnetic resonance has been applied in this field and findings are sometimes contradictory. AIMS: In this study we review the specialised bibliography and present a critical discussion on the scientific literature published to date on the application of functional magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging to one of the most widely studied disorders, from a neurobiological point of view, namely, obsessive-compulsive disorder. DEVELOPMENT: The study reviews the articles on the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging, as well as those dealing with neural connectivity, that have been indexed in the most commonly used medical databases on the topic since 1996. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex (orbitofrontal and cingulate), the basal ganglia and the thalamus are involved in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Likewise, alterations in the white matter that affect neural connectivity have also been found. The contributions made by neuroimaging and, more specifically, by functional magnetic resonance imaging are and will undoubtedly continue to be a particularly interesting tool for explaining the aetiology of this disorder.

Neurobiología del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo: aportaciones desde la resonancia magnética funcional (II) / The neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: new findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (II)

Introducción. En los últimos años, la neurociencia ha experimentado un creciente interés por aplicar sus métodos al conocimiento de los trastornos psiquiátricos, y una de las herramientas fundamentales para ello son las técnicas de neuroimagen. No obstante, en general, los estudios de aplicación de la resonancia magnética funcional en este ámbito son escasos y, en ocasiones, contradictorios. Objetivo. En este trabajo se revisa la bibliografía especializada y se describe, de forma crítica, la literatura científica existente hasta la actualidad sobre la aplicación de resonancia magnética funcional y de tensor de difusión a uno de los trastornos más estudiados desde un punto de vista neurobiológico, como es el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo. Desarrollo. Se revisan los artículos sobre la utilización de la resonancia magnética funcional, así como aquéllos que han investigado la conectividad neural, indexados en las bases de datos médicas más utilizadas sobre el tema desde 1996. Conclusión. La mayoría de estudios sugiere que el córtex prefrontal (orbitofrontal y cíngulo), los ganglios basales y el tálamo están relacionados con la patogénesis del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo. Asimismo, se constatan alteraciones en la sustancia blanca que afectan a la conectividad neural. Las aportaciones de la neuroimagen en general, y de la resonancia magnética funcional en particular, son y serán, sin duda, una herramienta de especial interés para aclarar la etiología de este trastorno (AU)

Introduction. In recent years, neuroscience has shown a growing interest in applying its methods to furthering the knowledge of psychiatric disorders, and one of the fundamental tools used to do so are neuroimaging techniques. Yet, in general, few studies have been conducted in which functional magnetic resonance has been applied in this field and findings are sometimes contradictory. Aims. In this study we review the specialised bibliography and present a critical discussion on the scientific literature published to date on the application of functional magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging to one of the most widely studied disorders, from a neurobiological point of view, namely, obsessive-compulsive disorder. Development. The study reviews the articles on the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging, as well as those dealing with neural connectivity, that have been indexed in the most commonly used medical databases on the topic since 1996. Conclusions. Most studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex (orbitofrontal and cingulate), the basal ganglia and the thalamus are involved in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Likewise, alterations in the white matter that affect neural connectivity have also been found. The contributions made by neuroimaging and, more specifically, by functional magnetic resonance imaging are and will undoubtedly continue to be a particularly interesting tool for explaining the aetiology of this disorder (AU)

[The neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: new findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (I)]. / Neurobiología del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo: aportaciones desde la resonancia magnética funcional (I).

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, neuroscience has shown a growing interest in applying its methods to furthering the knowledge of psychiatric disorders, and one of the fundamental tools used to do so are neuroimaging techniques. Yet, in general, few studies have been conducted in which functional magnetic resonance has been applied in this field and findings are sometimes contradictory. AIMS: In this first part of our work we review the specialised bibliography and present a critical discussion on the scientific literature published to date on neuroimaging and neuropsychology of one of the most widely studied disorders from a neurobiological point of view, namely, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). DEVELOPMENT: The article outlines the basic aspects of neurobiological research into OCD, which has focused more especially on studying the cortico-striato-thalamic system. Results of this research suggest the existence of a deficit in the response inhibition as the possible cognitive substrate underlying the symptoms of OCD. In the second part, we will review the papers dealing with the use of this neuroimaging technique that have been indexed in the most commonly used medical databases on the topic since 1996. CONCLUSIONS: Response inhibition seems to be an important cognitive domain when it comes to explaining this disorder. Most studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex (orbitofrontal and cingulate), the basal ganglia and the thalamus are related with the pathogenesis of OCD.

Neurobiología del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo: aportaciones desde la resonancia magnética funcional (I) / The neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: new findings from functional magnetic resonance imaging (I)

Introducción. En los últimos años, la neurociencia ha experimentado un creciente interés por aplicar sus métodos al conocimiento de los trastornos psiquiátricos y una de las herramientas fundamentales para ello son las técnicas de neuroimagen. No obstante, en general, los estudios de aplicación de la resonancia magnética funcional en este ámbito son escasos y, en ocasiones, contradictorios. Objetivo. En esta primera parte del trabajo se revisa la bibliografía especializada y se describe, de forma crítica, la literaturacientífica existente hasta la actualidad sobre neuroimagen y neuropsicología de uno de los trastornos más estudiados desde un punto de vista neurobiológico, como es el trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC). Desarrollo. Se exponen los aspectos básicos de la investigación neurobiológica en el TOC, que ha mostrado un especial interés en el estudio de sistema corticoestriadotalámico, y que sugiere un déficit en la inhibición de respuesta como posible sustrato cognitivo de los síntomas del TOC. En la segunda parte, se revisarán los artículos sobre la utilización de esta técnica de neuroimagen indexados en las bases de datos médicas más utilizadas sobre el tema desde 1996. Conclusión. La inhibición de respuesta parece ser un importante dominio cognitivo a la hora de explicar este trastorno. La mayoría de estudios sugiere que el córtex prefrontal (orbitofrontal y cíngulo), los ganglios basales y el tálamo se relacionan con la patogénesis del TOC (AU)

Introduction. In recent years, neuroscience has shown a growing interest in applying its methods to furthering the knowledge of psychiatric disorders, and one of the fundamental tools used to do so are neuroimaging techniques. Yet, in general, few studies have been conducted in which functional magnetic resonance has been applied in this field and findings are sometimes contradictory. Aims. In this first part of our work we review the specialised bibliography and present a critical discussion on the scientific literature published to date on neuroimaging and neuropsychology of one of the most widely studied disorders from a neurobiological point of view, namely, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Development. The article outlines the basic aspects of neurobiological research into OCD, which has focused more especially on studying the cortico-striato-thalamic system. Results of this research suggest the existence of a deficit in the response inhibition as the possible cognitive substrate underlying the symptoms of OCD. In the second part, we will review the papers dealing with the use of this neuroimaging technique that have been indexed in the most commonly used medical databases on the topic since 1996. Conclusions. Response inhibition seems to be an important cognitive domain when it comes to explaining this disorder. Most studies suggest that the prefrontal cortex (orbitofrontal and cingulate), the basal ganglia and the thalamus are related with the pathogenesis of OCD (AU)