Citation

Bonomo R, Latorre A, Bhatia KP. Tremor Other Hyperkinet. Mov. (N Y) 2019; 9(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London (UCL) Institute of Neurology, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Center for Digital Research and Scholarship)

DOI

10.7916/tohm.v0.672

PMID

31565537

PMCID

PMC6744813

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Self-injurious behaviour has historically been associated with borderline personality disorder. Nevertheless, over recent years, it has been reported in numerous neurological syndromes, especially hyperkinesias. CASE REPORT: Two cases of [Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17)] manifested self-injurious behaviour, namely repetitive scratching of the skin resulting in severe excoriations. In one of them, the abnormal behaviour was associated with the inability to resist the impulse to commit the act along with relief following the damage.

DISCUSSION: This is the first report describing self-injurious behaviour in SCA17, but the mechanisms underlying it are still not clear. Further studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiology of such manifestation in hyperkinetic syndromes.

© 2019 Bonomo et al.

Language: en

Keywords

SCA17; dopamine; neurotransmitters; self-injury; serotonin