Abstract
Trichotillomania is characterized by the repetitive pulling out of one's hair leading to hair loss and functional impairment. Understanding the pathophysiology of trichotillomania is one approach to the eventual development of more effective treatment options for this disorder. The current body of neuroscience research in trichotillomania is limited, but the available evidence of disorders arguably related to trichotillomania (for example, Tourette's syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder) offers hints of possible mechanisms underlying repetitive motor behaviors. Preliminary research supports the possible use of δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol in the reduction of tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. In addition, in an open-label pharmacotherapy study a cannabinoid agonist was effective in reducing hair pulling behavior in trichotillomania. Taken together, these findings suggest that pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid system may be a promising avenue to help reduce the compulsive motoric aspect of trichotillomania.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Cannabinoids in Neurologic and Mental Disease |
Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
Pages | 415-423 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780124171244 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780124170414 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 21 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright:
Copyright 2015 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Cannabinoid
- Compulsive
- Impulsive
- Motor system
- Pharmacotherapy
- Trichotillomania