Psychiatry Research EG

Obsessive- compulsive disorder has recently been found to be associated with various biochemical markers; this has revived interest in its biological tasis. Most of the work to date has emphasized on the role of neurotransmitters involved and neurophysiological arousal. In this presentation, evidence from electrophysiological study: Topographic EEG mapping, has focussed on a possible left hemispheric dysfunction associated with this disorder. Thirty patients diagnosed as primary obsessional disorder according to DSM - 111 R, were examined by a t~pographic 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 % (6cases) showed evidence of right hemispheric involvement;: 4had a right hemispheric dysfunction and two had right hemispheric hyperarousal. 10% (3cases) had normal records; 13.3% (4cases) slowed generalized cerebral dysfunction and 6.7% (2 cases) had borderline rxords. Our results indicate a more significant association between the left hemisphere and the obsessional symptomatology.