NEUROFUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) - A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY

The neuropsychological performances of 10 obsessive-compulsive (OCD) and 10 schizophrenic patients, matched with 10 controls for sex, age and educational level were evaluated by means of a standardized battery, the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB). The three groups were significantly different in performing 8 out of 14 clinical scales (Motor, Rhythm, Receptive Speech, Writing, Reading, Memory, Intellectual processes and Pathognomonic). Schizophrenic patients had the poorest performances. No differences between OCD patients and controls were found. The schizophrenic group also showed the poorest performances on the localization scales compared with OCD and control groups, but there was not significant relationship between these variables and hemispheric functioning. The results are discussed in the light of specific hemispheric malfunctioning in schizophrenia and in obsessive-compulsive disorder.