Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder following Brain Injury: A Review

Abstract

Objective: This article reviews obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) following acquired brain injury. OCD type symptomatology without any other cognitive, behavioral, or emotional problems following a brain injury appears to be rare. However, the first onset of obsessions and compulsions following a brain injury has been described, but cognitive impairments can potentially color the presentation. Method: This article reviews obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) after brain injury, including traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular accidents, brain tumors and brain infections. Overlapping symtomatology between OCD and brain injury is discussed. Results: Findings regarding the neuro-imaging of OCD after brain injury are reviewed and integrated with neuropsychological data from studies with idiopathic OCD. Conclusion: There appears to be some convergance between findings from studies of the neuropsychology of idiopathic OCD and neuro-imaging of OCD following brain injury.