Lena Jelinek

Publications of Lena Jelinek

• The effect of practice on the recall of salient information in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  Authors: Lena Jelinek, Liz Rietschel, Michael Kellner, Christoph Muhtz, Steffen Moritz

  Psychiatry research. 03/2012;

  Deficits in memory and cognitive inhibition have been proposed as underlying mechanisms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To test this hypothesis an emotional variant of the retrieval inducedDeficits in memory and cognitive inhibition have been proposed as underlying mechanisms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To test this hypothesis an emotional variant of the retrieval induced forgetting (RIF) paradigm was constructed which investigates whether repeated retrieval of previously learned material (Rp+) leads to enhanced forgetting of related but nonretrieved material (Rp-) in comparison to unrelated material (NRp). This paradigm (using of OCD-relevant, neutral and negative material) was presented to 21 participants with OCD and 22 healthy controls. To compare personally relevant stimuli across groups, salience ratings of the material were included. RIF was not reduced in OCD per se. Tentative evidence was found for a weakened RIF effect for personally salient OCD-relevant material in OCD patients in comparison to healthy controls.

• [Formula: see text] Effects of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms on Neuropsychological Test Performance: Complicating an Already Complicated Story.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Birgit Hottenrott, Lena Jelinek, Amanda M Brooks, Armin Scheurich

  The Clinical neuropsychologist. 12/2011; 26(1):31-44.

  Theoretical models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) implicate neurocognitive dysfunction, particularly deficits in nonverbal memory and executive functioning, in the pathogenesis of theTheoretical models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) implicate neurocognitive dysfunction, particularly deficits in nonverbal memory and executive functioning, in the pathogenesis of the disorder. The opposite hypothesis (poor performance in neuropsychological test as an epiphenomenon of OCD symptoms) has rarely been contemplated although checking behavior, obsessional doubt, lack of motivation, and slowness as well as preoccupation with touching objects may result in secondary test impairment and mimic manifestations of neural dysfunction. A total of 60 patients with OCD and 30 healthy controls were tested with a multi-functional neuropsychological battery. At the end of the testing participants were asked about their effort and the severity of OCD symptoms during task execution. Up to one fourth of the OCD patients affirmed OCD-related worries and motivational problems during task execution. Poor motivation and checking were significantly associated with enhanced objective performance deficits. Whereas the present study does not negate a role of neurocognitive deficits in the formation of OCD, in our view the reverse relationship should be contemplated as well. We advise researchers to pay closer attention to possible confounds that may mediate the relationship between OCD and neurocognition. Limitations of the study are discussed.

• Veridical and false memory for scenic material in posttraumatic stress disorder.

  Authors: Marit Hauschildt, Maarten J V Peters, Lena Jelinek, Steffen Moritz

  Consciousness and cognition. 12/2011; 21(1):80-9.

  The question whether memory aberrations in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also manifest as an increased production of false memories is important for both theoretical and practical reasons, butThe question whether memory aberrations in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also manifest as an increased production of false memories is important for both theoretical and practical reasons, but is yet unsolved. Therefore, for the present study we investigated veridical and false recognition in PTSD with a new scenic variant of the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, which was administered to traumatized individuals with PTSD (n=32), traumatized individuals without PTSD (n=30), and non-traumatized controls (n=30). The PTSD group neither produced higher rates of false memories nor expressed more confidence in errors, but did show inferior memory sensitivity. Whereas depressive symptoms did not correlate with veridical nor false recognition, state dissociation was positively associated with false memories.

• Heart rate variability in response to affective scenes in posttraumatic stress disorder.

  Authors: Marit Hauschildt, Maarten J V Peters, Steffen Moritz, Lena Jelinek

  Biological psychology. 08/2011; 88(2-3):215-22.

  Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by psychophysiological abnormalities, such as an altered baseline heart rate and either hyper- or hyporeactivity to a wide range of stimuli,Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by psychophysiological abnormalities, such as an altered baseline heart rate and either hyper- or hyporeactivity to a wide range of stimuli, implying dysfunctional arousal regulation. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been established as an important marker of arousal regulatory ability. The aim of the present study was to examine HRV in PTSD under different affective conditions and to explore the role of potential moderating factors. To meet this purpose, videos of varying emotional valence were presented to trauma-exposed participants with PTSD (n=26), trauma-exposed participants without PTSD (n=26), as well as non-trauma-exposed controls (n=18) while HRV was recorded. The PTSD group showed lower HRV than non-trauma-exposed controls at baseline (corrected for age) and throughout different affective conditions implying decreased parasympathetic activity and an inflexible response regulation. There was a negative relationship between HRV and self-report of both depression and state dissociation.

• Are patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder generally more doubtful? Doubt is warranted!

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Liz Rietschel, Lena Jelinek, Karl-Heinz T Bäuml

  Psychiatry research. 08/2011; 189(2):265-9.

  A number of neuropsychological models implicate disinhibition and a lack of response confidence in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To provide a fair test of the inhibitionA number of neuropsychological models implicate disinhibition and a lack of response confidence in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To provide a fair test of the inhibition and confidence account, a variant of the directed forgetting (DF) paradigm with OCD-related and unrelated conditions was administered in 30 OCD patients and 20 healthy controls. First, 16 words were presented which the participant was subsequently instructed to forget. Then, 16 words were presented that should be memorized. After a short interval, patients were shown the to-be-forgotten and the to-be-remembered items along with new items in random order. The subjects were instructed to recollect both the to-be-remembered and the to-be-forgotten items. The subject was asked to grade responses according to confidence. In accordance with prior findings from our group, patients did not differ from controls on overall recollection, response confidence, and the recollection of to-be-forgotten (allegedly inhibited) information. Our study cannot refute the claim that disinhibition plays a role in OCD in view of the vast array of paradigms tapping different aspects of inhibition. Still, we deem a psychological understanding more fruitful that looks at dysfunctional coping strategies and false beliefs as mechanisms for the persistence and pervasiveness of obsessive thoughts.

• Further evidence for the efficacy of association splitting as a self-help technique for reducing obsessive thoughts.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Lena Jelinek

  Depression and anxiety. 06/2011; 28(7):574-81.

  Despite improved treatment options, many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not seek or even actively avoid therapy due to shame or fear of stigmatization. Self-help treatment isDespite improved treatment options, many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) do not seek or even actively avoid therapy due to shame or fear of stigmatization. Self-help treatment is increasingly acknowledged as a means to "treat the untreated" and to motivate patients for face-to-face psychotherapy. Our group has gathered preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a novel self-help approach entitled association splitting (AS) aimed at the reduction of obsessions. For this study, a total of 46 participants with a likely diagnosis of OCD were randomly allocated to either AS or a waitlist control (WL). Treatment consisted of the self-study of a manual sent via e-mail. At baseline and four weeks later symptoms were assessed online using the self-report version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A total of 74% of the initial sample took part in the re-assessment. Results were in accordance with prior uncontrolled data indicating that AS is a feasible approach leading to a symptom decline of approximately 25% on the Y-BOCS. The technique also exerted a positive effect on depression (BDI) and the OCI-R subscale obsessive thoughts. The study confirms the feasibility and efficacy of AS for a subgroup of patients with OCD. Ongoing studies explore whether short-term effects are maintained over time and whether therapist-guided therapy may enhance the efficacy of AS.

• Larger than life: overestimation of object size is moderated by personal relevance in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Georg W Alpers, Lisa Schilling, Lena Jelinek, Amanda Brooks, Bastian Willenborg, Matthias Nagel

  Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. 05/2011; 42(4):481-7.

  Along with other cognitive biases overestimation of threat (OET) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study investigated whether OET would notAlong with other cognitive biases overestimation of threat (OET) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study investigated whether OET would not only manifest in cognitive distortions but, also in overestimations of the object size of disorder-related visual objects. A total of 65 participants with OCD and 55 healthy controls who were recruited via OCD online forums underwent an incidental learning paradigm consisting of two blocks. In Block 1, participants were asked to rate the valence and the personal relevance for individual OCD concerns of 40 pictures which varied in size. Differences in size, however, were not explicitly communicated to the participants. Stimuli were selected from four categories: 1. neutral, 2. fear-related but OCD-unrelated, 3. washing (OCD-related), and 4. checking (OCD-related). In Block 2, participants were asked to recollect the original size of each stimulus (depicted as a small thumbnail) on a seven point scale. Whereas few group differences emerged for pre-defined OCD items, OCD-relevant items (individual judgments) were judged as significantly larger by patients with OCD relative to controls. The opposite pattern emerged for neutral items. The sample was recruited via online forums and had probable but not externally validated diagnoses of OCD. No psychiatric control group was recruited. The present study indicates that OET may extend to neuropsychological tasks. Further research is needed to pinpoint whether OET occurs at the level of encoding suggesting a perceptual bias and/or occurs at the level of retrieval suggesting a memory bias.

• [Long-term consequences of flight and expulsion in former refugee children].

  Authors: Christoph Muhtz, Christine von Alm, Kathrin Godemann, Charlotte Wittekind, Lena Jelinek, Alexander Yassouridis, Michael Kellner

  Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, medizinische Psychologie. 05/2011; 61(5):233-8.

  Little is known about long-term consequences of flight and expulsion during childhood. The aim of this study was to interview aging former refugee children about their recollection of traumaticLittle is known about long-term consequences of flight and expulsion during childhood. The aim of this study was to interview aging former refugee children about their recollection of traumatic experiences and to screen for full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their differential impact on today's quality of life and mental health. In 502 participants from the former German eastern territories who were displaced as children at the end of World War II (at the age of 5-12 years) we examined traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PDS), comorbid symptoms (SCL-90-R), depressive symptoms (BDI) and quality of life (SF-36). 31.5% participants reported posttraumatic stress symptoms indicating current full PTSD, and 33.7% fulfilled the criteria of a current partial PTSD. Participants with full and partial PTSD reported a significantly reduced quality of life, often depressive and comorbid symptoms and were compromised in their well-being compared to participants without PTSD. The study demonstrates the long-term consequences of flight and expulsion during childhood in aging former refugee children more than 60 years later. Posttraumatic stress symptoms play a prominent role for quality of life and well-being in this population.

• Knock, and it will be opened to you? An evaluation of meridian-tapping in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Stefany Carrillo Aravena, Sascha R Guczka, Lisa Schilling, Christiane Eichenberg, Gabriele Raubart, Andreas Seebeck, Lena Jelinek

  Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry. 03/2011; 42(1):81-8.

  Meridian-tapping (MT) is a body-oriented therapeutic technique which among other psychological problems targets anxiety disorders. Despite bold claims by some of its advocates that it brings lastingMeridian-tapping (MT) is a body-oriented therapeutic technique which among other psychological problems targets anxiety disorders. Despite bold claims by some of its advocates that it brings lasting success in the vast majority of patients with anxiety disorders, solid empirical evidence for its effectiveness is scarce and its theoretical foundations are refuted by many scientists. The present study tested the effectiveness of a published MT self-help approach for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Following a baseline assessment over the internet including standard outcome measures for OCD (Y-BOCS, OCI-R) and depression (BDI-SF), 70 participants with OCD were randomly allocated to MT or to progressive muscle relaxation (PMR). Four weeks after the dispatch of the self-help manuals (including video demonstrations of the technique), participants were requested to take part in a post assessment. Whereas subjects found MT more helpful than PMR in retrospect (39% versus 19%) and would continue to use it in the future (72% versus 48%) there was no evidence for a stronger decline of OCD symptoms under MT on any of the psychometric measures. Moreover, Y-BOCS scores did not significantly change across time for both interventions. The present study does not support bold claims about the effectiveness of MT as a stand-alone technique. Cognitive-behavioral therapy remains the treatment of choice for OCD. While self-help MT may enhance the well-being of a subgroup of participants, its potential for OCD appears to be small. Exaggerated success claims on the effectiveness of MT in conjunction with degrading appraisals of conventional psychotherapy as made by some of its leading figures may in our view foster fatalism in patients not experiencing major symptom relief by MT.

• What happened to the voices? A fine-grained analysis of how hallucinations and delusions change under psychiatric treatment.

  Authors: Sophia D Schneider, Lena Jelinek, Tania M Lincoln, Steffen Moritz

  Psychiatry research. 01/2011; 188(1):13-7.

  The Psychiatric Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) have demonstrated their usefulness for the dimensional assessment of hallucinations and delusions. However, there is no evaluated German version of theThe Psychiatric Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS) have demonstrated their usefulness for the dimensional assessment of hallucinations and delusions. However, there is no evaluated German version of the PSYRATS to date. Also, in spite of theoretical conceptions about "detaching" effects of antipsychotics, there are few consolidated findings about how core symptomatic aspects of schizophrenia change during antipsychotic treatment. The present study aimed to fill this gap. A total of 40 schizophrenic voice-hearers were interviewed three times during the course of six months using a newly developed German version of the PSYRATS with very good psychometric properties. At the same time, psychopathology was assessed with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). In the longitudinal course, a general symptomatic decrease became apparent only for auditory hallucinations but not for delusions. Specifically, the loudness of the hallucinated voices as well as the associated distress decreased early, while other aspects of the hallucinations took more time to fade. In this study, the PSYRATS proved to be a valuable tool for measuring the change of specific symptom dimensions. However, our results only partially supported the notion of a general detachment from symptoms due to psychiatric treatment.

• Intergenerational transmission of biased information processing in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following displacement after World War II.

  Authors: Charlotte E Wittekind, Lena Jelinek, Michael Kellner, Steffen Moritz, Christoph Muhtz

  Journal of anxiety disorders. 12/2010; 24(8):953-7.

  An attentional bias for trauma-related stimuli has been demonstrated in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have investigated how biological relatives ofAn attentional bias for trauma-related stimuli has been demonstrated in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have investigated how biological relatives of individuals with PTSD process trauma-relevant information. To investigate whether parental PTSD is associated with an attentional bias for trauma-related stimuli in adult offspring, we compared performance of individuals displaced after World War II with (n=22) and without PTSD (n=24) to a non-displaced healthy control group (n=11) and their respective offspring as to their processing of trauma-related stimuli in an emotional Stroop task. Evidence for biased information processing was neither found in individuals with PTSD nor their offspring. Possible explanations for the findings and implications for future studies are discussed.

• Was Freud partly right on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Investigation of latent aggression in OCD.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Stefan Kempke, Patrick Luyten, Sarah Randjbar, Lena Jelinek

  Psychiatry research. 10/2010; 187(1-2):180-4.

  Inflated responsibility is increasingly regarded a pathogenetic mechanism in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In seeming contrast, there is mounting evidence that latent aggression is alsoInflated responsibility is increasingly regarded a pathogenetic mechanism in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In seeming contrast, there is mounting evidence that latent aggression is also elevated in OCD. Building upon psychodynamic theories that an altruistic façade including exaggerated concerns for others is partly a defense against latent aggression, evidence was recently obtained for high interpersonal ambivalence in OCD patients relative to psychiatric and healthy controls using a newly developed instrument entitled the Responsibility and Interpersonal Behaviors and Attitudes Questionnaire (RIBAQ). A total of 46 OCD patients and 23 healthy participants took part in the present study. OCD patients displayed a higher social responsibility than controls. At the same time, patients also disclosed more latent aggression/calculating behavior and interpersonal distrust. While the pathogenic role of latent aggression is still not fully uncovered, it may deserve more consideration in treatment in view of frequent tensions in the families of OCD patients. Longitudinal studies with at-risk sample are needed to assess the relationship between problems with anger expression as well as (exaggerated) moral standards in OCD.

• Characteristics and organization of the worst moment of trauma memories in posttraumatic stress disorder.

  Authors: Lena Jelinek, Colette Stockbauer, Sarah Randjbar, Michael Kellner, Thomas Ehring, Steffen Moritz

  Behaviour research and therapy. 07/2010; 48(7):680-5.

  It has been proposed that the organization of the worst moment in traumatic memories ("hotspots") is of particular importance for the development of PTSD. However, current knowledge regarding theIt has been proposed that the organization of the worst moment in traumatic memories ("hotspots") is of particular importance for the development of PTSD. However, current knowledge regarding the organization and content of worst moments is incomplete. In the present study, trauma survivors with (n=25) and without PTSD (n=54) were asked to indicate the worst moment of their trauma and to give a detailed narrative of the traumatic event. The worst moment and the remaining narrative were analyzed separately with regard to organization and emotional content. Results indicated that worst moments of trauma survivors with PTSD differed from the remaining narrative and from worst moments described by trauma survivors without PTSD in that they were characterized by more unfinished thoughts, more use of the present tense and lower levels of cognitive processing. However, hypotheses regarding differentiating emotional content were not supported. Implications for our theoretical understanding of PTSD and potential therapeutic interventions are discussed.

• Generic and illness-specific quality of life in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  Authors: Marit Hauschildt, Lena Jelinek, Sarah Randjbar, Birgit Hottenrott, Steffen Moritz

  Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. 07/2010; 38(4):417-36.

  Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling disorder. It profoundly compromises various aspects of patients' everyday life, thus affecting their quality of life (QoL). UsingObsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic and disabling disorder. It profoundly compromises various aspects of patients' everyday life, thus affecting their quality of life (QoL). Using generic instruments, several studies have confirmed severely impaired health-related QoL in patients diagnosed with OCD. However, there has been a dearth of research on illness-specific QoL. The present study aimed to further investigate subjective QoL in individuals with OCD with a focus on illness-specific aspects. To assess subjective QoL in a broad OCD sample, an internet survey was conducted with 123 participants with obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The survey comprised both a generic (WHOQOL-BREF) and a novel self-developed OCD-specific QoL measure (QoLOC). Psychopathology was determined with diagnostic standard instruments (self-report forms of: Y-BOCS, OCI-R, BDI-SF). Regression analyses confirmed depression as the best predictor for decreased QoL. In addition, participants reported high despair resulting from OCD-related problems that differed across symptom subtypes. An exploratory factor analysis suggested four domains of OCD-specific problems tapped by the QoLOC: (1) depressiveness in association with OCD; (2) constraints in activities due to OCD symptoms or avoidance; (3) problems with partner and/or family due to OCD symptoms or avoidance; (4) self-concept/coping of own illness. Results produced a comprehensive picture of QoL impairments and their relation to psychopathology in a representative OCD sample. Illness-specific concerns should be further addressed in QoL research in OCD because such problems are not sufficiently mirrored in generic QoL measures.

• How to treat the untreated: effectiveness of a self-help metacognitive training program (myMCT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Lena Jelinek, Marit Hauschildt, Dieter Naber

  Dialogues in clinical neuroscience. 01/2010; 12(2):209-20.

  Despite advances in the understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), many patients undergoing interventions display incomplete symptom reduction, Our research group hasDespite advances in the understanding and treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), many patients undergoing interventions display incomplete symptom reduction, Our research group has developed a self-help manual entitled "My Metacognitive Training for OCD" (myMCT) aimed at raising patients' awareness about cognitive biases that seem to subserve OCD. The training is particularly intended for patients currently unable or unwilling to attend standard therapy, or in cases where such a treatment option is not available. For the present study, 86 individuals suffering from OCD were recruited over the Internet. Following the initial assessment, participants were either immediately emailed the myMCT manual or allocated to a waitlist group. After 4 weeks, a second assessment was performed, The myMCT group showed significantly greater improvement for OCD symptoms according to the Y-BOCS total score compared with the waitlist group (d = .63), particularly for obsessions (d= .69). Medium to strong differences emerged for the OCI-R (d = .70) and the BDI-SF (d = .50). The investigation provides the first evidence for the effectiveness of the myMCT for OCD.

• Perseveration and not strategic deficits underlie delayed alternation impairment in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Birgit Hottenrott, Sarah Randjbar, Ruth Klinge, Francesca Vitzthum Von Eckstaedt, Tania M Lincoln, Lena Jelinek

  Psychiatry research. 10/2009;

  The claim that the prefrontal cortex, particularly its orbito-frontal part, is involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is based upon evidence from neuroimaging as well as behavioral studies.The claim that the prefrontal cortex, particularly its orbito-frontal part, is involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is based upon evidence from neuroimaging as well as behavioral studies. Studies have repeatedly suggested problems with delayed alternation learning in OCD, an executive dysfunction that presumably involves the orbito-frontal cortex. However, it is unclear whether such impairment stems from perseveration or strategic deficits as these aspects are intertwined in the original task. In the present study, 36 OCD and 16 healthy controls underwent a variant of the delayed alternation task involving three response options instead of two as in the original task. This modification enabled us to separate perseveration errors (i.e., the participant incorrectly chooses the same response option as before) from shift errors (i.e., the decision is switched to an incorrect response alternative). We found that patients with OCD committed significantly more perseveration errors following previously valid response options, whereas perseveration for previously invalid responses and shift errors did not distinguish groups. Group differences were not accounted for by comorbid depression and may be linked to the pathogenesis of OCD.

• When cancer is associated with illness but no longer with animal or zodiac sign: Investigation of biased semantic networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

  Authors: Lena Jelinek, Birgit Hottenrott, Steffen Moritz

  Journal of anxiety disorders. 08/2009;

  Building upon semantic network models, it is proposed that individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) process ambiguous words (e.g., homographs such as cancer) preferably in the context ofBuilding upon semantic network models, it is proposed that individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) process ambiguous words (e.g., homographs such as cancer) preferably in the context of the OC meaning (i.e., illness) and connect them to a lesser degree to other (neutral) cognitions (e.g., animal). To investigate this assumption, a new task was designed requiring participants to generate up to five associations for different cue words. Cue words were either emotionally neutral, negative or OC-relevant. Two thirds of the items were homographs, while the rest was unambiguous. Twenty-five OCD and 21 healthy participants were recruited via internet. Analyses reveal that OCD participants produced significantly more negative and OC-relevant associations than controls, supporting the assumption of biased associative networks in OCD. The findings support the use of psychological interventions such as Association Splitting that aim at restructuring associative networks in OCD by broadening the semantic scope of OC cognitions.

• Evidence for an attentional bias for washing- and checking-relevant stimuli in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Adrian von Mühlenen, Sarah Randjbar, Susanne Fricke, Lena Jelinek

  Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS. 06/2009; 15(3):365-71.

  There is equivocal evidence whether or not patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share an attentional bias for concern-related material and if so, whether this reflects hypervigilanceThere is equivocal evidence whether or not patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) share an attentional bias for concern-related material and if so, whether this reflects hypervigilance towards or problems to disengage from disorder-related material. In a recent study, we failed to detect an attentional bias in OCD patients using an emotional variant of the inhibition of return (IOR) paradigm containing OCD-relevant and neutral words. We reinvestigated the research question with a more stringent design that addressed potential moderators. A new IOR paradigm was set up using visual stimuli. Forty-two OCD patients and 31 healthy controls were presented with neutral (e.g., cup), anxiety-relevant (e.g., shark), checking-relevant (e.g., broken door), and washing-relevant (e.g., dirty toilet) cue pictures at one of two possible locations. Following a short or long interval sensitive to automatic versus controlled processes, a simple target stimulus appeared at either the cued or the uncued location. OCD patients responded significantly slower to targets that were preceded by an OCD-relevant cue. Results lend support to the claim that OCD patients share a processing abnormality for concern-related visual material.

• The organization of autobiographical and nonautobiographical memory in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  Authors: Lena Jelinek, Sarah Randjbar, Dragana Seifert, Michael Kellner, Steffen Moritz

  Journal of abnormal psychology. 06/2009; 118(2):288-98.

  Disorganized trauma memory seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is unclear whether memory organization of nonautobiographicalDisorganized trauma memory seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is unclear whether memory organization of nonautobiographical material (i.e., sequence memory) is also impaired in PTSD. A novel task designed to assess nonautobiographical memory for content and order information was administered to trauma survivors with (n = 26) and without PTSD (n = 55) as well as to nontraumatized healthy adults (n = 30). In addition, traumatized participants were asked to give a detailed narrative of the traumatic event and an unpleasant autobiographical event. Transcripts of both types of narratives were analyzed with regard to disorganization. Results indicated that trauma memories were more disorganized than memories of an unpleasant event in the PTSD group in comparison with the non-PTSD group. However, no differences were found for memory organization of nonautobiographical material among trauma survivors with and without PTSD and nontraumatized controls. With regard to memory accuracy of nonautobiographical material, group differences were more strongly associated with trauma exposure than with PTSD.

• Comparable performance of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and healthy controls for verbal and nonverbal memory accuracy and confidence: Time to forget the forgetfulness hypothesis of OCD?

  Authors: Steffen Moritz, Martin Kloss, Francesca Vitzthum Von Eckstaedt, Lena Jelinek

  Psychiatry research. 05/2009; 166(2-3):247-53.

  The memory deficit or forgetfulness hypothesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received considerable attention and empirical effort over the past decades. The present study aimed toThe memory deficit or forgetfulness hypothesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has received considerable attention and empirical effort over the past decades. The present study aimed to provide a fair test of its various formulations: (1) memory dysfunction in OCD is ubiquitous, that is, manifests irrespective of modality and material; (2) memory dysfunction is found for nonverbal but not verbal material, (3) memory dysfunction is secondary to executive impairment; and (4) memory dysfunction affects meta-memory rather than memory accuracy. Participants comprised 43 OCD patients and 46 healthy controls who were tested on the Picture Word Memory Test (PWMT), which provides several unconfounded parameters for nonverbal and verbal memory accuracy and confidence measures across different time-points. In addition, the Trail-Making Test B was administered to test assumption number 3. Replicating earlier work of our group, samples displayed similar performance on all indices. None of the different formulations of the memory deficit hypothesis were supported. In view of waning evidence for a global memory deficit in OCD, neuropsychological research on OCD should more thoroughly investigate moderators and triggers of occasional instances of impaired performance, particularly cognitive biases such as perfectionism and an inflated sense of responsibility.