Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism
08:03

Inchworming: A Novel Motor Stereotypy in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

Published on: July 5, 2014

Orphan rocker tracks: a variant of friction melanosis in an institutionalized child

Gary Diamond1, Dan Ben Amitai

  • 1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Child Development , Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tiqva, Israel; Department of Pediatric Dermatology, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tiqva, Israel.

Pediatric Dermatology
|January 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Friction melanosis is a skin condition causing brown patches from repeated rubbing. A case study showed this pigmentary disorder in an institutionalized child due to intense rocking motions.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Friction melanosis is an acquired pigmentary disorder.
  • It presents as diffuse, brown skin pigmentation.

Observation:

  • A case of friction melanosis was observed in an institutionalized child.
  • The child exhibited characteristic lesions on the lower back.

Findings:

  • The lesions resulted from intense and repeated rocking.
  • This mechanical friction led to the observed hyperpigmentation.

Implications:

  • Highlights the link between repetitive mechanical stress and skin pigmentation changes.
  • Suggests considering friction as a cause for acquired hyperpigmentation in clinical settings.

More Related Videos

Behavioral Characterization of an Angelman Syndrome Mouse Model11:05

Behavioral Characterization of an Angelman Syndrome Mouse Model

Published on: October 20, 2023

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus09:26

Quantification of Orofacial Phenotypes in Xenopus

Published on: November 6, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Sex-linked Disorders01:43

Sex-linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Instinctive Drift01:05

Instinctive Drift

Instinctive drift refers to the tendency of animals to revert to their innate behaviors despite repeated reinforcement. Breland and Breland demonstrated this concept in an experiment with a raccoon. The raccoon was trained to pick up two coins and place them in a container in exchange for food. Initially, the raccoon learned to associate the coins with food, making them a conditioned stimulus or a substitute for food. However, over time, the raccoon became less willing to put the coins into the...
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...