Cognitive inflexibility in a young woman with pyromania

Blum, Austin W. and Odlaug, Brian L. and Grant, Jon E. (2018) Cognitive inflexibility in a young woman with pyromania. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 7 (1). pp. 189-191. ISSN 2062-5871 (print); 2063-5303 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Pyromania is a rare disorder that is characterized by multiple episodes of deliberate and purposeful firesetting. 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.

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