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Obsessionality

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Parkinson’s Disease and Nonmotor Dysfunction

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

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Abstract

This chapter examines the fascinating issue of obsessionality in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Initially described is the concept of obsessionality and current notions about the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Also defined are the perseverations and their possible confusion with obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). Particular features of obsessionality in some neurological illnesses are provided, and factors related to obsessionality in PD are reviewed. Both the Parkinsonian personality and similarities that may link bradyphrenia and obsessional slowness are discussed, and finally, descriptive studies of obsessionality in PD are reviewed. OCS in neurological illnesses, including PD, may be clinically identical to idiopathic OCD, but descriptions usually outline certain differences. OCS in neurological disease processes often are associated with movement disorders and cognitive dysfunction, primarily of the dysexecutive type. However, the issue regarding whether the etiopathology, phenomenology, and treatment response of OCS in neurological illnesses are similar to those of idiopathic OCD remains.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Marie-Andrée Bruneau MD, FRCP(C), MSc

Authors
  1. Marie-Andrée Bruneau MD, FRCP(C), MSc
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN

    Ronald F. Pfeiffer MD

  2. Department of Neurology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

    Ivan Bodis-Wollner MD, DSc

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

    Ivan Bodis-Wollner MD, DSc

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Bruneau, MA. (2005). Obsessionality. In: Pfeiffer, R.F., Bodis-Wollner, I. (eds) Parkinson’s Disease and Nonmotor Dysfunction. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-859-5:25

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-859-5:25

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-316-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-859-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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