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Self-injurious behavior and serotonin in Prader-Willi syndrome
1Department of Psychiatry University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66103.
Psychopharmacology Bulletin
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may help manage self-injurious and compulsive behaviors in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). This study shows SSRIs reduced skin picking, hoarding, and outbursts in three PWS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Low central nervous system (CNS) serotonin is linked to impulsive, aggressive, and self-injurious behaviors (SIB).
- Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) patients exhibit SIB, compulsive skin picking, hoarding, and explosive outbursts.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) shares behavioral similarities with PWS, including skin picking and trichotillomania.
Observation:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective for OCD.
- Three cases of PWS patients treated with SSRIs showed positive responses.
- Two patients experienced a significant reduction in compulsive skin picking.
Findings:
- The third PWS patient demonstrated a marked decrease in hoarding and explosive outbursts after SSRI treatment.
- These findings suggest a potential neurochemical link between serotonin levels and compulsive behaviors in PWS.
- PWS may serve as a valuable model for studying skin picking and explosive outbursts in broader populations.
Implications:
- SSRIs show promise for managing challenging behaviors in Prader-Willi Syndrome.
- Further research into the neurobiology of PWS could elucidate mechanisms underlying SIB and compulsive disorders.
- Investigating shared neurochemical pathways may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for PWS and related conditions.
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