The Neurology and Psychopathology of Pica

Individually tailored dosage regimen of full-spectrum Cannabis extracts for autistic core and comorbid symptoms: a real-life report of multi-symptomatic benefits

“…We have also included in our outcome survey the category “eating non-foods,” which corresponds to the behavioral condition known as allotriophagy or Pica, characterized by the recurrent ingestion of nonfood substances or objects, lacking nutritional value, in an age incompatible with such behavior, according to the DSM 5 ( 87 ). In our sample, 8 out of 20 patients (40%) presented this condition.…”

“…In our sample, 8 out of 20 patients (40%) presented this condition. Although its general prevalence in ASD patients is not well established, it seems to be relatively frequent and regularly neglected as an important comorbidity of the spectrum, even though every so often it may lead to important health problems, such as choking, gastrointestinal obstructions or perforations, parasitic infections and poisoning ( 17 – 19 , 87 – 90 ). ASD-associated Pica is generally refractory to medications, and the most effective treatment involves behavioral modeling by applied behavioral analysis therapy (ABA) ( 87 ).…”

An unexpected cause of weight loss in a teenaged girl

“…Case studies going back decades have noted the association between IDA and pagophagia, the form of pica specific to eating ice, and have documented resolution of pagophagia after iron supplementation 8–10 . One postulated explanation for this link is that IDA may be associated with altered dopamine regulation in brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens, which could manifest as compulsive, repetitive behaviours such as those seen in pica 11 . The fact that resolution of pica in case studies often precedes resolution of the IDA itself does complicate an argument in favour of a causal role for IDA 8 ; one potential explanation for this is that iron supplementation first repletes iron‐dependent enzymes whose dysfunction is responsible for the symptoms of pica before fully correcting iron stores and resolving the IDA 9 .…”

“…[8][9][10] One postulated explanation for this link is that IDA may be associated with altered dopamine regulation in brain regions such as the nucleus accumbens, which could manifest as compulsive, repetitive behaviours such as those seen in pica. 11 The fact that resolution of pica in case studies often precedes resolution of the IDA itself does complicate an argument in favour of a causal role for IDA 8 ; one potential explanation for this is that iron supplementation first repletes iron-dependent enzymes whose dysfunction is responsible for the symptoms of pica before fully correcting iron stores and resolving the IDA. 9 However, iron supplementation has notably not been shown to have an effect on forms of pica other than pagophagia.…”

Can we eat Earth Buildings? The mineralogical common of earth building and edible earth practices

“…Today, scientists have arrived at a more nuanced understanding of microbiomes, including those inside the human body and their vital contribution to an individual's overall health. The critical role that gut bacteria and other microorganisms play in metabolic processes and the immune system have proven to be of particular relevance for the reframing of Geophagy (Schnitzler 2022).…”