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Case Reports
. 2018 Mar 1;7(1):189-191.
doi: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.09. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Cognitive inflexibility in a young woman with pyromania

Austin W Blum  1 , Brian L Odlaug  2   3 , Jon E Grant  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Cognitive inflexibility in a young woman with pyromania

Austin W Blum et al. J Behav Addict. .

Abstract

Background Pyromania is a rare disorder that is characterized by multiple episodes of deliberate and purposeful fire-setting. It is typically associated with significant psychosocial dysfunction and legal problems. Even so, little research has examined cognitive aspects of the disorder. Case presentation/study In this study, we compared a 24-year-old woman with pyromania with 19 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using a battery of computerized neurocognitive tasks. Our participant affected by pyromania showed impaired cognitive flexibility but intact functioning on measures of impulsive action and decision-making. Discussion Although pyromania shares phenomenological similarities with other urge-driven disorders, our results suggest that pyromania may have features of compulsivity as well. Conclusions Pyromania is relatively understudied from a neurobiological perspective. Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology, classification, and treatment of pyromania.

Keywords: forensic; impulse control disorders; neurocognition; pyromania.

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