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SLITRK1 mutations in Trichotillomania

Molecular Psychiatry volume 11, pages 888–889 (2006)Cite this article

Trichotillomania (TTM) is a chronic behavioral disorder characterized by the irresistible urge to pull out one's hair, resulting in noticeable hair loss.1 Clinically, TTM is classified as an impulse-control disorder and believed to belong to the obsessive-compulsive (OCD) spectrum. Tourette's Syndrome (TS), also belonging to the OCD spectrum, was recently associated with mutations in the slit and trk like 1 (SLITRK1) gene.2 Abelson et al.2 identified a frameshift mutation and a 3′-UTR micro-RNA binding site variation in three independent TS families. The mother of one proband carried the SLITRK1 mutation and was diagnosed with TTM. Therefore, we hypothesized that sequence variation in SLITRK1 may also contribute to TTM not associated with TS.

We have ascertained 44 TTM families in which one or more individuals met DMS-IV criteria for TTM.3 Self-reports of frequency and duration of hair pulling, related psychiatric symptoms, family history, and blood were obtained from patients and family members under IRB-approved procedures by Duke University Medical Center.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    S Zuchner, M L Cuccaro, K N Tran-Viet, H Cope, M A Pericak-Vance & A Ashley-Koch

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

    S Zuchner, M L Cuccaro & R R Krishnan

  3. WS Hall Psychiatric Institute, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    H H Wright

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  1. S Zuchner
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  2. M L Cuccaro
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  3. K N Tran-Viet
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  4. H Cope
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  5. R R Krishnan
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  6. M A Pericak-Vance
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  7. H H Wright
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  8. A Ashley-Koch
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Correspondence to A Ashley-Koch.

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Zuchner, S., Cuccaro, M., Tran-Viet, K. et al. SLITRK1 mutations in Trichotillomania. Mol Psychiatry 11, 888–889 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4001865

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