Neurocognitive dysfunctions of co-morbid OCD+CTD

• Applicant: Dr. Lisa Kloft
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Term: from 2014 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 259391296

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic tic disorders (CTD) (including Tourette´s syndrome) often occur co-morbid. Evidence indicates differences in phenotypical and neurocognitive characteristics between OCD alone, CTD alone, and co-morbid OCD+CTD. This raises the question whether co-morbid OCD+CTD is an independent clinical entity with separate and independent liability which is congruent with the idea that OCD, CTD, and OCD+CTD constitute three independent disorders. Alternative explanations for co-morbidity state that groups are alternate expression of the same underlying liability, or represent the additive combination of two separate entities with overlapping or correlated liabilities. Clarifying the nature of co-morbidity between OCD and CTD is very important for understanding and treatment. To test validity of the different models of co-morbidity we will compare the neurocognitive profile of 30 patients with OCD alone, 30 patients with CTD alone, and 30 patients with co-morbid OCD+CTD (2 x 2 factorial design). Experimental tasks assessing sensory gating, harm avoidance, and response inhibition will be used given preliminary evidence of performance differences between groups and theoretical notions highlighting their importance for obsessive-compulsive and tic-related behaviour. To the best of our knowledge this is the first project comparing all three patient groups in one study and with a multivariate design.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants