New clues to the genetic roots of hair-pulling and skin-picking
Two disorders with big names—trichotillomania (repeated hair-pulling) and excoriation disorder (repeated skin-picking)—were the focus of a recent Yale study looking at potential genetic causes. The two disorders are part of a group called body-focused repetitive behaviors, or BFRBs.
Two disorders—trichotillomania (hair-pulling) and excoriation disorder (skin-picking)—were studied for potential genetic causes in a Yale study. These conditions, known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), can cause distress and disrupt daily life. About 1%–3% of people are affected by BFRBs, which often run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
The study, led by Dr. Emily Olfson from Yale Child Study Center, aimed to uncover genetic factors contributing to BFRBs and to explore whether they share genetic risks with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Researchers used a family-based approach, analyzing DNA from family trios (parents and affected child or adult). The findings revealed that people with BFRBs were more likely to inherit a higher OCD polygenic score from their parents, indicating shared genetic risk.
Additionally, some affected individuals carried rare DNA changes associated with neurodevelopmental conditions and specific brain pathways. The study emphasizes that these conditions have a biological component, influenced by both common and rare genetic factors, as well as environmental influences. Understanding these genetic links could help families and guide future research and treatments.
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