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Originalia

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Neurobiological Features and an Updated Model

Published Online:September 06, 2013https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443/a000213

Abstract

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) affects approximately 2 % of the population and involves misperceived defects of appearance along with obsessive preoccupation and compulsive behaviors. There is evidence of neurobiological abnormalities associated with symptoms in BDD, although research to date is still limited. This review covers the latest neuropsychological, genetic, neurochemical, psychophysical, and neuroimaging studies, and synthesizes these findings into an updated (yet still preliminary) neurobiological model of the pathophysiology of BDD. We propose a model in which visual perceptual abnormalities, along with frontostriatal and limbic system dysfunction, may combine to contribute to the symptoms of impaired insight, obsessive thoughts, and compulsive behaviors expressed in BDD. Further research is necessary to gain a greater understanding of the etiology of BDD symptoms and their evolution over time.


Körperdysmorphe Störung: Neurobiologische Aspekte und ein aktualisiertes Modell

Die Körperdysmorphe Störung (KDS) betrifft ungefähr 2 % der Bevölkerung und ist durch wahrgenommene Defekte im Aussehen sowie einer zwanghaften Beschäftigung und ritualisierten Verhaltensweisen gekennzeichnet. Es gibt mittlerweile Belege dafür, daß die KDS mit neurobiologischen Abnormalitäten einhergeht, obwohl die Forschung in diesem Bereich bis heute immer noch begrenzt ist. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über neuropsychologische, genetische, neurochemische, psychophysische und bildgebende Studien und trägt diese Befunde in einem aktualisierten (bislang vorläufigen) neurobiologischen Modell zur Pathophysiologie der KDS zusammen. Wir schlagen ein Modell vor, in welchem sowohl visuelle Wahrnehmungsabnormalitäten sowie Dysfunktionen im frontostriatalen und limbischen System zu Symptomen wie geringer Krankheitseinsicht sowie eindringlicher Gedanken und zwanghafter Verhaltensweisen der KDS beitragen. Weitere Forschung ist nötig, um ein tieferes Verständnis für ätiologische Faktoren von KDS-Symptomen sowie deren Entwicklung über die Zeit zu erhalten.

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