Orbital frontal and amygdala volume reductions in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Author(s): Robinson, D., Alvir, J. M. J., Bilder, R. M., Lencz, T., Ashtari, M., Wu, H. W., Bogerts, B.

Journal/Book: Arch Gen Psychiat. 1999; 56: 515 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA. Amer Medical Assoc. 913-919.

Abstract: Background: Functional neuroimaging studies have implicated the frontal lobes and the hippocampus-amygdala complex in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These brain regions have not been well investigated in patients with OCD, however, using magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Volumes of the superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate gyrus, orbital frontal region, hippocampus, and amygdala were computed from contiguous magnetic resonance images in a sample of 26 patients with OCD and 26 healthy comparison subjects. Results: Patients with OCD had significantly reduced bilateral orbital frontal and amygdala volumes com-pared with healthy comparison subjects and lacked the normal hemispheric asymmetry of the hippocampus-amygdala complex. Neither brain structure volumes nor asymmetry indices were significantly correlated with total illness duration or length of current OCD episode. Conclusions: Findings of reduced orbital frontal and amygdala volumes in patients implicate a structural abnormality of these brain regions in the pathophysiology of OCD. Absence of the normal hemispheric asymmetry of the hippocampus-amygdala complex in patients is consistent with an anomalous neurodevelopmental process.

Note: Article Szeszko PR, Hillside Hosp, Dept Psychiat Res, N Shore Long Isl Jewish Hlth Syst, 75-59 263rd St, Glen Oaks,NY 11004 USA

Keyword(s): GLUCOSE METABOLIC RATES; POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY; CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW; NORMAL HUMAN CORTEX; CYTOARCHITECTONIC DEFINITION; STRUCTURAL ABNORMALITIES; SYMPTOM PROVOCATION; LOBE DYSFUNCTION; PREFRONTAL AREAS; BASAL GANGLIA

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