Strategic processing and episodic memory impairment in obsessive compulsive disorder

There is evidence that nonverbal memory problems in obsessive compulsive di sorder (OCD) are mediated by impaired strategic processing. Although many s tudies have found verbal memory to be normal in OCD, these studies did not use tests designed to stress organizational strategies. This study examined verbal and nonverbal memory performance in 33 OCD patients and 30 normal c ontrol participants with the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test and the Cal ifornia Verbal Learning Test. OCD patients were impaired on verbal and nonv erbal measures of organizational strategy and free recall. Multiple regress ion modeling indicated that free recall problems in OCD were mediated by im paired organizational strategies used during learning trials. Therefore, ve rbal and nonverbal episodic memory deficits in OCD are affected by impaired strategic processing. Results are consistent with neurobiological models p roposing frontal-striatal system dysfunction in OCD.