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Motor inhibition and cognitive flexibility in pathologic skin picking
Brian L Odlaug1, Samuel R Chamberlain, Jon E Grant
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
|November 17, 2009
Summary
Individuals with pathologic skin picking (PSP) exhibit impaired inhibitory control, similar to trichotillomania, but maintain cognitive flexibility. This suggests distinct neurobiological underpinnings and potential treatment avenues for PSP.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Pathologic skin picking (PSP) is characterized by difficulty resisting urges.
- Individuals with PSP may have inhibitory deficiencies, similar to other obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders.
- This study investigates motor inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in PSP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess motor inhibitory control in individuals with PSP.
- To evaluate cognitive flexibility in individuals with PSP.
- To compare cognitive functions in PSP patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Twenty subjects with PSP and 20 healthy controls participated.
- Cognitive assessments included the Stop-signal and Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional (ID/ED) set-shift tasks.
- Groups were matched for age, gender, and education.
Main Results:
- PSP was linked to significantly impaired stop-signal reaction times.
- Cognitive flexibility (ID/ED set-shift) was intact in the PSP group compared to controls.
- Disease severity did not correlate with stop-signal performance in PSP subjects.
Conclusions:
- Impaired inhibitory control in PSP parallels findings in trichotillomania, but differs from OCD.
- Intact cognitive flexibility in PSP suggests unique neurobiological mechanisms.
- Findings inform PSP classification, neurobiological understanding, and potential therapeutic strategies.
