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International Journal of Clinical Case Studies Volume 1 (2015), Article ID 1:IJCCS-107, 9 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.15344/2455-2356/2015/107
Case Report
A Neurocognitive Assessment of a Patient with Body Integrity Identity Disorder

Philip J Sumner1, David J Castle2, Ryan A Kaplan3,4 and Susan L Rossell1,2,3,4*

1Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2Department of Psychiatry, St. Vincent’s Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3School of Psychology & Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
4Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Prof. Susan Rossell, Swinburne University, Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia, VIC 3122, Tel: +61 03-9214-8173; E-mail: srossell@srossell.com
03 May 2015; 01 July 2015; 03 July 2015
Sumner PJ, Castle DJ, Kaplan RA, Rossell SL (2015) A Neurocognitive Assessment of a Patient with Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Int J Clin Case Stud 1: 107. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15344/2455-2356/2015/107

Abstract

Objective: Body integrity identity disorder is characterized by a desire to obtain a physical disability, often in the form of amputation. To date, we are aware of no comprehensive investigations of neurocognition in body integrity identity disorder.
Method: We report a comprehensive neurocognitive workup of an individual (Mr A), who presented with a longstanding and intense desire to amputate his left leg.
Results: In comparison to four demographically matched healthy controls, Mr A exhibited impairment in working memory, with some evidence of additional difficulties with long-term memory. Conclusions: His neurocognitive weaknesses are inline with altered functioning within the superior parietal lobule, which has been implicated in the pathophysiology of body integrity identity disorder.