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The pathophysiology of body dysmorphic disorder
Jamie D Feusner1, Jose Yaryura-Tobias, Sanjaya Saxena
1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, CA, USA. jfeusner@mednet.ucla.edu
Body Image
|March 4, 2008
Summary
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves brain network dysfunctions, impacting frontal-subcortical circuits and other brain areas. Understanding these neurobiological underpinnings is key to developing effective treatments for this disabling condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical research
Background:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe mental health condition affecting up to 2% of the population.
- The exact causes and neurobiological underpinnings of BDD remain largely unknown, hindering treatment development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the pathophysiology of BDD.
- To propose a tentative model of the functional neuroanatomy of BDD based on existing evidence.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic studies.
- Analysis of brain lesion, neuroimaging, and neuropsychological findings.
- Examination of psychopharmacological research.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a complex interplay of dysfunctions in multiple brain networks contribute to BDD.
- Key implicated areas include frontal-subcortical circuits, temporal, parietal, and limbic structures.
- Potential hemispheric imbalances in information processing may also play a role.
Conclusions:
- The pathophysiology of BDD likely involves widespread neural network dysfunctions.
- A comprehensive understanding of these neurobiological deficits is essential for advancing BDD treatments.
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