Voxel-based morphometry analysis of structural brain scans in skin-picking disorder
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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

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Published on: February 4, 2022
Anne Schienle1, Jonas Potthoff1, Albert Wabnegger1
1Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMedGraz, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010 Graz, Austria.
Background:
Skin-picking disorder (SPD) is characterized by the excessive and repetitive manipulation of one's own skin resulting in tissue damage and impaired social functioning. There are only a few studies with small sample sizes that examined possible brain abnormalities in SPD, which is classified as a syndrome related to obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD).
Method:
The current voxel-based morphometry (VBM) study compared data from 35 SPD patients and 35 control participants including both genders (mean age = 35 years, SD = 15). In addition, patients' self-reports on symptom severity, duration and impairment were correlated with grey matter volumes (GMV) in regions of interest (basal ganglia, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insula).
Results:
Relative to controls, the patients showed reduced GMV in the OFC and in the insula. Basal ganglia volume did not differ between the groups. Within the SPD group, disorder-related impairment and symptom duration were negatively correlated with GMV in basal ganglia regions.
Discussion:
This study indicated that SPD patients show GMV abnormalities in regions concerned with interoception (insula) and reinforcement of behavior (OFC). Whether the correlational findings are disorder-specific or reflect secondary processes needs to be investigated in a future longitudinal study with additional clinical control groups.
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