¹First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Department of Psychiatry, Guangzhou, China, ²First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Department of Psychiatry, Guangzhoou, China

Background: Cognitive function may be impacted by trace element deficiencies.Previous studies have found that there is an imbalance of zinc, iron, magnesium and other trace elements in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.However, the mechanism of influence of trace element deficiency on cognitive function in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder is still unclear.

Aims & Objectives: This study investigated the effects of changes in trace element levels on cognitive function in patients with first diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Method: In this cross-sectional investigation, 45 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) and 51 patients with an initial diagnosis of OCD were included. Trace element levels were tested at 8:00 am, and cognitive function was evaluated using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Function Battery (MCCB). A statistical analysis and correlation analysis were performed to examine the differences in cognitive function and trace element level between the two groups.

Results: Compared with HC, OCD patients had lower scores on the seven cognitive domain information processing speed,(all p <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that zinc ion concentration was correlated with information processing speed (r = 0.257, P = 0.012), visual learning (r = 0.308, P = 0.003), and total cognition (r = 0.290, P = 0.005).

Discussion & Conclusions: Patients with OCD exhibit significant cognitive impairment in comparison to those with HC. Among them, deficiencies in visual learning and information processing speed may be linked to zinc deficiency.