NEUROFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER - A NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY

Previous work on the biological aspects of obsessive-compulsive (OCD) disorders is scarce, inconsistent and controversial. Thus, the EEG hemispheric patterns in a group of OCD patients were assessed and compared to those of matched schizophrenic and normal control groups. The drug regimens of the patients groups also were taken into account and analysis of variance undertaken. The three groups significantly differed relative to the level of fast beta activity, OCD subjects having had the highest. Side of recording did not affect any EEG frequency bands and there were no significant interactions between the diagnosis and recording side. It is unlikely that the findings are artifacts of patient's drug regimens, but muscular tension might affect the increment of the energy of fast EEG activity. The study findings are consistent with the hypothesis of abnormal over-arousal in OCD, but do not support OCD hemispheric imbalance with left hemisphere malfunctioning.