Striatal abnormalities in trichotillomania : a multi-site MRI analysis
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) is characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one's own hair, and is
classified as an Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorder. Abnormalities of the ventral and dorsal striatum have
been implicated in disease models of trichotillomania, based on translational research, but direct evidence is
lacking. The aim of this study was to elucidate subcortical morphometric abnormalities, including localized
curvature changes, in trichotillomania. De-identified MRI scans were pooled by contacting authors of previous
peer-reviewed studies that examined brain structure in adult patients with trichotillomania, following an extensive
literature search. Group differences on subcortical volumes of interest were explored (t-tests) and localized
differences in subcortical structure morphology were quantified using permutation testing. The pooled
sample comprised N= 68 individuals with trichotillomania and N =41 healthy controls. Groups were wellmatched
in terms of age, gender, and educational levels. Significant volumetric reductions were found in trichotillomania
patients versus controls in right amygdala and left putamen. Localized shape deformities were
found in bilateral nucleus accumbens, bilateral amygdala, right caudate and right putamen. Structural abnormalities
of subcortical regions involved in affect regulation, inhibitory control, and habit generation, play a
key role in the pathophysiology of trichotillomania. Trichotillomania may constitute a useful model through
which to better understand other compulsive symptoms. These findings may account for why certain medications
appear effective for trichotillomania, namely those modulating subcortical dopamine and glutamatergic
function. Future work should study the state versus trait nature of these changes, and the impact of treatment.
Description
CITATION: Isobe, M., et al. 2019. Striatal abnormalities in trichotillomania : a multi-site MRI analysis. NeuroImage: Clinical, 17:893-898, doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.031.
The original publication is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
The original publication is available at http://www.sciencedirect.com
Keywords
Compulsive hair pulling -- Physiological aspects, Brain -- Diagnostic imaging, Brain -- Magnetic resonance imaging
Citation
Isobe, M., et al. 2019. Striatal abnormalities in trichotillomania : a multi-site MRI analysis. NeuroImage: Clinical, 17:893-898, doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.031