Disrupted functional connectivity architectures of neural circuits in obsessive-compulsive disorder

Motivation: The mechanistic understanding of dysfunctional neural circuits involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is incomplete. Goal(s): To replicate previous findings in an independent data set and replenish mechanisms of changes in functional connectivity architectures within neurocircuitry of OCD using resting-state fMRI. Approach: Network-based statistical analysis on a brain network incorporating functionally parcellated regions of interest defined by clustering technique was used. Results: Hyperconnectivity were detected in the fronto-pallidal, fronto-thalamic, basal ganglia-thalamic, intra-thalamic, and thalamo-amygdala connections in OCD patients compared with healthy controls. Impact: We depict the neurocircuitry model of OCD pathophysiology through the functional network connectivity perspective and extend it by providing the importance of intra-thalamic and thalamo-amygdala connections in OCD. These findings add mechanistic insights to the dysfunctional neural circuits in OCD.