Ataxia telangiectasia, Menkes kinky hair disease and neurocutaneous melanosis.

This article explores three neurocutaneous syndromes (NCSs), i.e. genetic disorders producing developmental abnormalities of the skin and an increased risk of neurological complications. In this review, different aspects of ataxia telangiectasia, Menkes kinky hair disease and neurocutaneous melanosis are examined: clinical features, genetic defect, mutation spectrum, pathogenesis, and neurobiological basis; indications for clinical practice are also provided to the readers. The aim of this review is to stress the importance of cooperation among dermatologists, neurologists and psychiatrists, in order to provide patients suffering from these diseases with timely diagnosis and targeted treatments.

Adolescence: psychopathological discomfort, distress or psychiatric disorder? Clinical experience, description and analysis of a sample.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to highlight how many psychopathological disorders emerging during adolescence are not easily detectable and interpretable. METHODS: We investigated the social, emotional and demographic factors related to psychopathological distress, measuring the overall functioning of the child/adolescent and the consequent impact on academic and social functioning, along with its implications on the emergence of feelings of discomfort and anxiety. RESULTS: Many psychopathological disorders are easily detectable and diagnosable in this particular stage of life, and although they are rooted in adolescent distress, they can generate real psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The data emerging from clinical practice stress the need for a comprehensive in order to identify possible subclinical symptoms for onset of mental illness, so as to be able to implement more targeted and less invasive therapeutic strategies.

Adolescence, imperceptible boundary between normality and pathology: a literature review.

A reorganization of the brain occurs in adolescence and it is documented by neuroimaging, neurophysiology and pathology of development. The high levels of neural plasticity allow the intellectual and emotional development during adolescence, a transition period of life full of physical and psychological changes. However, potentially dangerous agents could be the genesis of psychopathology of the adult and mental illness or distress. Adolescence is a crucial phase for the maturation of the brain. Therefore, future research should study how the environment affects and influences the function and the organization of the brain. Teenagers look for new experiences and strong emotions, sometimes endangering their health. Neuroscientific explanations have been proposed for the typical teenagers' behavior. In the postnatal period the highest density of gray matter can be found in the primary sensorimotor cortex, while prefrontal cortex matures later. Subcortical areas of the brain, especially the limbic system and the reward system, develop earlier; therefore, there is an imbalance between the more mature subcortical areas and the less mature prefrontal areas during adolescence. This could explain the typical behavior patterns of this period of life.

Skin and brain: itch and psychiatric disorders.

Skin diseases (atopic eczema, psoriasis, idiopathic urticaria), systemic diseases (chronic hepatic or renal failure, morbus Hodgkin, diabetes mellitus) and psychiatric disorders (obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, delusions of parasitosis) can occur with itching. The aim of this review is to clarify the link between pruritus and psychiatric morbidity and emphasize the importance of a psychiatric consultation for patients with a chronic itching, without a skin disease. In the last years, there is a growing awareness regarding psychogenic itch, although these types of itch are significantly less studied in comparison to other types of pruritus. Psychogenic pruritus is usually a diagnosis of exclusion. There are not controlled studies about treatment of psychogenic itch, but the same drugs prescribed for neuropathic pain, depression, and anxiety are used. There is a strong association between pruritus and psyche; so, it is important that the dermatologist evaluates psychosomatic dimension. According to the analysis of scientific literature and our clinical experience, pruritus seems to be a rather common phenomenon in patients suffering from depression. Future works should explain the basis of psychopathology of chronic itching thanks to studies of selected groups of patients with a particular type of chronic itching, highlighting the clinical features to establish appropriate and individual targeted care, based on the several types of pruritus. Some questions still unanswered could be clarified in this way. It is really important to decrease the symptoms "itching", because the quality of life of the patient will be improved, but the goal is to identify the underlying mechanisms of itch and establish a targeted therapy, depending on the biological changes and the underlying disease.