The dorsal cognitive circuit (Figure 6) underpins executive functions required for effective goal-directed behavior, including planning, working memory and top-down control of emotional, motivational and sensorimotor processes [16] (Table 2). These dorsal cognitive regions connect to inferior parietal regions, forming the frontoparietal network [162–163], which is discussed further in the Limitations section below. Given the central and generic nature of the functions of this circuit, we do not propose particular dorsal cognitive dysfunctions to be related to specific OCD symptom profiles (no vignettes were included). Instead, dysfunction in this circuit may contribute to impairments in OCD in a more general manner. For instance, working memory and planning appear to be impaired in OCD [121, 164] and, even when patients do not present behavioral deficits, they can show altered brain activity, including underactive dlPFC and weaker dlPFC-striatal functional connectivity [165–166]. Experimental studies have reported impaired memory functions to correlate with OCD symptom dimensions, including pathological doubt [166] and compulsive checking [167]. It is possible that these executive dysfunctions exacerbate obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Indeed, studies examining the content of patients’ symptom experiences have
