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Neurobiological Changes after Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

ABSTRACT

Neurobiological theories about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) signalize functional and anatomical changes in specific areas of the brain related to its symptoms. Evidence indicates that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective in the treatment of OCD as well as capable of modulating dysfunctional neural patterns. This study aimed at describing neurobiological changes derived from the treatment of OCD with the CBT. A systematic review was carried out and its final sample consisted of five studies. In all of them, there was significant improvement of OCD as well as neurobiological changes, after CBT. The main findings were reduced activity and volume in the orbitofrontal cortex and increased activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus and caudate nucleus. CBT has shown to be able to modulate the neural circuits involved in OCD.

Keywords:
obsessive-compulsive disorder; neurobiology; cognitive-behavioral therapy; literature review

Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília, 70910-900 - Brasília - DF - Brazil, Tel./Fax: (061) 274-6455 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
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