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Presentation
rCBF in an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Sample and its Relationship to Shyness and Self-Esteem In Children: A SPECT Study
Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches and Lectures
  • Daniella A Lopez-Palacios, Nova Southeastern University
  • Ana Lopez, Nova Southeastern University
  • Soledad Arguelles-Borge, Nova Southeastern University
  • Daniel Amen, Amen Clinics
Date Range
2020-04-20 to 2020-05-28
Event Location / Date(s)
/
Presentation Date
5-1-2020
Document Type
Poster
Description

To investigate brain activity as measured by SPECT scans of children diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) whose parents rated their level of shyness and self-esteem. Parents of the OCD participants completed a symptom checklist that included ratings for shyness and self-esteem, while children received SPECT scans. The sample (N=144) was divided into two extreme quartiles depending on the scores in the shyness and self-esteem scale: below the 25th (N=74, Male=75.67%, Mean age=12.6 years) and above the 75th quartile (N=70, Male=60%, Mean age=13.2). An independent-sample-t-test (p is less than .05) was conducted to compare high and low self-esteem and shyness scores. The results showed that the high shyness and low self-esteem group had greater perfusion in the limbic system (Mean=47.11, Standard Deviation=9.46); however, the low shyness and high self-esteem group showed greater blood flow in the parietal area (Mean=52.70, Standard Deviation=8.29). The limbic system functions include emotion and affect, compared to the parietal functions which are associated with visual-constructive and controlled fluency abilities. In order to carry out their compulsions, children may avoid social interactions. Consequently, these children may have difficulties developing self-esteem and confidence. Clinical implications include taking into consideration the different levels of emotionality and extraversion as health professionals develop treatment plans for children with the disorder.

Disciplines
Citation Information
Daniella A Lopez-Palacios, Ana Lopez, Soledad Arguelles-Borge and Daniel Amen. "rCBF in an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Sample and its Relationship to Shyness and Self-Esteem In Children: A SPECT Study" (2020)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/soledad-argelles-borge/21/