Memory deficits in patients with DSM-IV obsessive-compulsive disorder

Neuropsychological testing provides increasing evidence that certain memory deficits might play an essential role in the emergence of doubts and, as a result, in perpetuating checkers' rituals. Another account of doubting imp licates metacognitive factors, such as confidence in memory. The present st udy examined mnestic functioning and self-perception of memory ability in a group of 27 nondepressed patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and 27 normal controls. All patients met DSM-IV and ICD-10 criteria for OC D, displayed prominent behavioral checking rituals and had to show a score on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOGS) of at least 16, Signif icant deficits in intermediate (Lern- und Gedachtnistest; LGT-3) and immedi ate (Corsi Block-Tapping Test) nonverbal memory were identified in the pati ents with OCD compared to normal controls. Contrary to predictions, OCD pat ients also showed a significant deficit in general memory and verbal memory (LGT-3). With respect to metacognition, OCD patients reported less confide nce in their memories than controls. These findings suggest that obsessiona l doubt reflects a deficit in memory as well as a deficit in memory confide nce. Depending on which dysfunction predominates, different therapeutic pro cedures seem to be required. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger Ag, Basel.