Cognitive functioning in compulsive hoarding

Rianne M. Blom, Jack F. Samuels, Marco A. Grados, Yong Chen, O. Joseph Bienvenu, Mark A. Riddle, Kung Yee Liang, Jason Brandt, Gerald Nestadt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine whether neurocognitive performance distinguishes individuals with compulsive hoarding (CH) from those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compared to control subjects, OCD patients and CHs scored significantly worse on the Serial Reaction Time Task suggesting disturbed implicit memory in both patient groups. On the Iowa Gambling Task, an overall learning progression difference over time was found between the CHs, OCD group, and control subjects, suggesting differences in decision-making between the groups. The groups did not differ in performance on the Stop Signal Reaction Time Task (motor inhibition). This study found evidence for impaired implicit memory in CHs, but also in OCD patients, albeit less severe. There was evidence that OCD patients learned more slowly on a decision-making task than CHs and control subjects. This latter finding provides some evidence to suggest that CH and OCD have, at least on this one measure, differing cognitive substrates.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1139-1144
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Anxiety Disorders
Volume25
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2011

Keywords

  • Attention
  • Decision making
  • Hoarding
  • Implicit memory
  • Motor inhibition
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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