Multidimensional analysis with MRI on mechanisms of cognitive behavioral therapy for obsession

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26870100
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Clinical psychology; Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Chiba University
• Principal Investigator: Sutoh Chihiro 千葉大学, 大学院医学研究院, 助教 (30612650)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 磁気共鳴画像法 / 機能的磁気共鳴画像法 / 認知行動療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To clarify the neural mechanisms of cognitive restructuring, a fundamental method within cognitive behavioural therapy, we designed a unique task that replicated psychotherapy during a brain scan. The brain activities and anatomical information of healthy participants were analysed using magnetic resonance imaging. During the brain scan, participants underwent Socratic questioning aimed at cognitive restructuring regarding the necessity of handwashing after using the restroom. The behavioural result indicated that the questioning effectively decreased the participants' degree of belief that they must wash their hands. Alterations in the degree of belief showed a positive correlation with activity in the left posterior parietal cortex and positive correlations with the white matter integrity in the left hemisphere. The involvement of these brain regions in planning, decision-making, and conceptualization may play a pivotal role in cognitive restructuring.

Free Research Field

脳画像解析