Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms In Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Abstract

Based on an earlier report of raised titres of herpes simplex viral antibodies in Obsessive-compulsive disorder subjects, and a propensity for this virus to affect limbic structures, a study was conducted to look for the presence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in surviving patients of herpes simplex encephalities. Two out of five neurologically stable patients studied had elevated scores on Leyton′s Obsessional Inventory and Yale Brown Obsessive compulsive scale, but none fulfilled criteria for obsessive compulsive disorder. Furthermore tow case reports of patients with herpes simplex encephalitis presenting with obsessive compulsive disorder are reported. The possible models to explain this association between Herpes simplex encephalitis and Obsessive compulsive disorder are shared neurobiological substrates or shared neuropsychological deficits.