Comparative analysis of self-injury in people with psychopathology or neurodevelopmental disorders

Liam Crapper; Carl Ernst

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2015.03.001

Comparative analysis of self-injury in people with psychopathology or neurodevelopmental disorders

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015 Jun;62(3):619-31. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.03.001. Epub 2015 Apr 7.

Authors

Liam Crapper¹, Carl Ernst²

Affiliations

¹ Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada.
² Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada; McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0G4, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26022166
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.03.001

Abstract

Self-injury is a complex and poorly understood behavior observed in people with psychopathology or neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). Despite the differences in etiology and progression of these distinct disease domains, it is possible that overlapping molecular pathways underlie the expression of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs). This review outlines the similarities and differences at the behavioural and molecular level, where SIBs in both conditions may involve opioid, nucleoside, and dopamine signalling. These points of convergence have important implications for treatment and research of SIB in both populations.

Keywords: Borderline personality disorder; Dopamine; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Opioids; Self-injurious behavior.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology
Developmental Disabilities / psychology*
Humans
Mental Disorders / epidemiology
Mental Disorders / psychology*
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology
Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*