Mechanisms of Fronto-Subcortical Dysfunction: Comparing PD and OCD

Characterizing Mechanisms of Fronto-Subcortical Dysfunction: A Comparison Between Parkinson's Disease and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The purpose of this study is to characterize and compare irregularities in dopaminergic function in fronto-subcortical circuits, between Parkinson's Disease patients (ON and OFF medication) and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, by examining performance on cognitive tasks involving cognitive flexibility, decision-making, and attentional bias.

Inclusion Criteria:

• idiopathic PD or
• OCD
• for control group - age-matched to study groups

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychotic symptoms (past or present)
• head injury with loss of consciousness
• other neurological conditions (excepting PD in PD group)
• for OCD group - use of dopaminergic medications