Age of onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder differentially affects white matter microstructure.

Previous diffusion MRI studies have reported mixed findings on white matter microstructure alterations in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), likely due to variation in demographic and clinical characteristics, scanning methods, and underpowered samples. The OCD global study was created across five international sites to overcome these challenges by harmonizing data collection to identify consistent brain signatures of OCD that are reproducible and generalizable. Single-shell diffusion measures (e.

Measurement fidelity of clinical assessment methods in a global study on identifying reproducible brain signatures of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: To describe the steps of ensuring measurement fidelity of core clinical measures in a five-country study on brain signatures of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Method: We collected data using standardized instruments, which included the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), the Dimensional YBOCS (DYBOCS), the Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale (BABS), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID). Steps to ensure measurement fidelity included translating instruments, developing a clinical decision manual, and continuing reliability training with 11-13 transcripts of each instrument by 13 independent evaluators across sites over 4 years.

Global multi-center and multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging study of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Harmonization and monitoring of protocols in healthy volunteers and phantoms.

Objectives: We describe the harmonized MRI acquisition and quality assessment of an ongoing global OCD study, with the aim to translate representative, well-powered neuroimaging findings in neuropsychiatric research to worldwide populations.

Methods: We report on T1-weighted structural MRI, resting-state functional MRI, and multi-shell diffusion-weighted imaging of 140 healthy participants (28 per site), two traveling controls, and regular phantom scans.

Results: Human image quality measures (IQMs) and outcome measures showed smaller within-site variation than between-site variation.

Cross-national harmonization of neurocognitive assessment across five sites in a global study.

Objective: Cross-national work on neurocognitive testing has been characterized by inconsistent findings, suggesting the need for improved harmonization. Here, we describe a prospective harmonization approach in an ongoing global collaborative study.

Method: Visuospatial -Back, Tower of London (ToL), Stop Signal task (SST), Risk Aversion (RA), and Intertemporal Choice (ITC) tasks were administered to 221 individuals from Brazil, India, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the USA.

Toward identifying reproducible brain signatures of obsessive-compulsive profiles: rationale and methods for a new global initiative.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a lifetime prevalence of 2-3% and is a leading cause of global disability. Brain circuit abnormalities in individuals with OCD have been identified, but important knowledge gaps remain. The goal of the new global initiative described in this paper is to identify robust and reproducible brain signatures of measurable behaviors and clinical symptoms that are common in individuals with OCD.

Brain Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cue-reactivity Can Predict Baclofen Response in Alcohol Use Disorders.

Objective: Baclofen is a promising treatment for alcohol use disorders (AUD), although its clinical response in humans is mixed. The present study aimed at investigating the impact of baclofen treatment on cue-induced brain activation pattern and its relationship with relapse outcomes.

Methods: Twenty-three inpatients with AUD underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging cue-reactivity task before beginning medication with baclofen and 2 weeks later.

Enhancing Mother Infant Interactions through Video Feedback Enabled Interventions in Women with Schizophrenia: A Single Subject Research Design Study.

Background: It has been shown that mother infant interactions are often impaired in mothers with schizophrenia. Contributory factors include psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms and surrogate parenting by others.

Aim: This study describes the effectiveness of video feedback in enhancing mother-infant interaction in mothers with schizophrenia who have impaired interaction with their infant.