Effects of acute modafinil on cognition in trichotillomania.
BACKGROUND
Individuals with trichotillomania often report significant difficulty resisting the urges and drive to pull hair.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to examine whether modafinil improves motor inhibitory control, and other cognitive functions, in trichotillomania.


METHODS
Eighteen subjects with trichotillomania (mean age 33.4 ± 12.8 years; 78% female) received a single dose of modafinil (200 mg) and placebo in a crossover double-blind design. Neurocognitive performance was assessed using the stop-signal, pattern recognition, rapid visual information processing and Tower of London tasks.


RESULTS
No effects of modafinil on cognition approached statistical significance on the test measures examined (all p > 0.10).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that modafinil may not be useful for targeting impulse dyscontrol in trichotillomania. However, it remains possible that relatively small effects of modafinil on cognition could exert larger downstream effects on overt behaviour. Further trials using modafinil and other pro-cognitive agents are warranted.
Chamberlain
Samuel R
SR
Department of Psychiatry & MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neurosciences Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. srchamb@gmail.com
Grant
Jon E
JE
Costa
Anna
A
Müller
Ulrich
U
Sahakian
Barbara J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077408:Modafinil; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014256:Trichotillomania / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006113:United Kingdom
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000077408:Modafinil