This study provides a comprehensive overview of the neural basis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) based on recent advances in functional and structural neuroimaging research. OCD is conceptualized as a disorder arising from functional imbalance across multiple neural circuits, including the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loop, fronto-limbic, and visual networks. We analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) obtained before cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The results demonstrated that hyperconnectivity within the occipital cortex and structural characteristics of white matter tracts related to visual and spatial cognition predicted remission following CBT. These findings suggest that abnormal visual information processing may underlie treatment responsiveness and that the functional and structural integration of the visual network contributes to therapeutic outcomes. This study highlights the potential of multimodal neuroimaging for identifying neural biomarkers of CBT response in OCD and provides a novel perspective for developing individualized treatment strategies.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) have distinct clinical characteristics, yet they often share common emotional symptoms such as “anxiety” and “depression,” and frequently coexist. However, few studies have directly compared brain function between these two disorders. This article introduces the study by He et al. (2024), which analyzed brain function in patients with MDD and SAD using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) to explore their underlying neural mechanisms. The results revealed both common and disorder-specific abnormalities in brain function at regional and network levels. These findings deepen our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of MDD and SAD and may contribute to the development of diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic strategies.