OCD PATIENTS SHOW INCREASED CERTAINTY SEEKING IN AN OPERANT OBSERVING RESPONSE TASK: A TRANSLATIONAL APPROACH

摘要: Abstract Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been linked to numerous cognitive theories, such as increased intolerance of uncertainty. Certainty seeking may be one process underlying excessive checking behavior. We sought obtain objective and quantitative measurements certainty behaviors in patients a translational task. A rodent version the observing response task previously demonstrated under chronic quinpirole administration [1] . tested 21 OCD medicated that did not have any comorbid disorders, age gender matched controls on this novel operant paradigm. Participants pressed two buttons order earn rewards corresponding variable ratio schedules. At time, only is ‘active’ thereby leading rewards. Importantly, participants could press third, ‘observing’ button always cued currently active button. In baseline phase pressing ‘inactive’ resulted no being earned, subsequent phase, punishments delivered schedule. Patients with more than during avoided inactive greater degree. When was punished, differ their responses but now healthy significantly more, reaching level exhibited by patients. reported anxiety task, amounts or obtained. sum, found patients, captured baseline. The results further indicated contrast controls, were insensitive actual negative consequences uncertain. This study consistent notion uncertainty contribute clinical symptomatology. Moreover, provide validation for paradigm reinforcing version.