Neurophysiological substrate of obsessive compulsive disorder: an evidence from topographic EEG

ABSTRACT

Obsessive-compulsive disorder has recently been found to be associated with various biochemical markers; this has revived interest in its biological basis. Most of the work to data has emphasized on the role of neurotransmitters involved and neurophysiological arousal. In this presentation, evidence from electrophysiological study Topographic EEG mapping has focused on a possible left hemispheric dysfunction associated with this disorder. Thirty patients diagnosed as primary obsessional disorder according to DSM-III R, were examined by a topographic EEG. Their age ranged between 16-45 years, with a mean of 32. 1 years; 19 were males and 11 females. 50% of our patients [15 cases] showed evidence of left hemispheric dysfunction where two had hyperactive foci in the temporal region. 20% [6 cases] showed evidence of right hemispheric involvement; 4 had a right hemispheric dysfunction and two had right hemispheric hyperarousal. 10% [3 cases] had normal records; 13.3% [4 cases] showed generalized cerebral dysfunction and 6.7% [2 cases] had borderline records. Our results indicate a more significant association between the left hemisphere and the obsessional symptomatology