Implicit sequence learning in obsessive-compulsive disorder: further support for the fronto-striatal dysfunction model.
BACKGROUND
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is conceived as a disease that implicates dysfunctions in fronto-striatal brain systems. According to this model, performance deficits observed in patients with lesions in these brain areas are hypothesized to be present also in OCD patients. Implicit procedural learning, which refers to the acquisition of motor or nonmotor skills by practice, is one candidate function to test this prediction.


METHODS
The serial reaction time task was used to assess implicit sequence learning of 33 patients with a diagnosis of OCD and 27 healthy control participants. In addition, explicit (i.e., conscious) knowledge of the sequence was determined. A subgroup of 24 patients was reassessed after intensive cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy.


RESULTS
Implicit sequence learning was significantly reduced in the OCD group by 41%, while explicit learning and verbal abilities were unaffected. The deficit remained stable across time, although symptoms remitted substantially. Depressive symptoms did not account for the finding. Partial explicit knowledge of the sequence was not a predictor of the amount of implicit learning.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced implicit learning appears to be a dissociable trait of OCD patients. The results confirm previous findings and add supportive evidence for the fronto-striatal dysfunction model of OCD.
Kathmann
Norbert
N
Humboldt University at Berlin, Rudower Chaussee 18, D-12489 Berlin, Germany. kathmann@rz.hu-berlin.de
Rupertseder
Claudia
C
Hauke
Walter
W
Zaudig
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000502:physiology*