Articles tagged with Anorexia
Researchers found that gut microbes in anorexia patients are less diverse and more abundant in 'harmful' species. Transferring fecal samples from anorexia patients to mice resulted in similar symptoms, suggesting a link between gut bacteria and anorexia symptoms. Targeting the microbiome may be a viable treatment for anorexia.
Research found that patients with anorexia nervosa unconsciously assess their proportions to be larger than they actually are, leading to a distorted body schema. Virtual reality and cognitive behavioral therapy may help correct this distortion by influencing the representation of the body.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that a majority of anorexia patients tolerated and met their weight gain goals on a rapid weight gain plan, with 70% reaching a healthy BMI. The study suggests that meal-based nutritional approaches can be well-tolerated and achieve weight restoration in a majority of patients.
Researchers found abnormalities in brain function related to symptom severity in both disorders, with more severe symptoms linked to distinct patterns of activity and connectivity. The study suggests that addressing these brain abnormalities through psychotherapy or psychiatric medications could be key to treating these conditions.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism highlights the impact of anorexia nervosa on young women's growth. The research found that girls with anorexia nervosa tend to have stunted growth, which may affect their overall health and well-being.
Researchers explore how women with SE-AN experience it as profoundly embodied, highlighting why treatment becomes more difficult. A new holistic approach is proposed to improve quality of life.
A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals with anorexia nervosa have altered brain circuitry that impairs the motivation to eat, leading to severe weight loss. The research suggests a powerful biology contributes to restricted eating behavior and offers new potential treatments.
Researchers found that teenage girls with clinical levels of anxiety are twice as likely to engage in regular fasting and develop anorexia nervosa. The study suggests that anxiety may precede the onset of severe restrictive eating behaviors, making it a potential early indicator of eating disorders.
Children born to mothers with eating disorders face increased risks of premature birth, microcephaly, and hyperemesis during pregnancy. The study also found that the risk varies depending on the type of eating disorder and whether the mother has an active or previous eating disorder.
A UCSF-led study reveals that three in four patients with anorexia nervosa experience some improvement, but only 21% achieve full recovery. Full recovery is predictive of permanent remission and is often linked to family-based treatment and holistic approaches to emotional well-being.
A new study from UCSF finds that adolescents and young adults with plus-size anorexia nervosa are at risk of cardiovascular complications, including slow heart rate and electrolyte imbalances. The study challenges traditional views of anorexia nervosa as solely affecting underweight individuals.
A new study led by Stanford University and UCSF found that adolescents with atypical anorexia nervosa can have normal body weights yet be dangerously ill. The research showed that large, rapid weight loss is the best predictor of medical and psychological problems in these patients.
The incidence rate of anorexia nervosa among 8-12 year olds in the UK and Ireland has increased significantly, with a doubling of the previous estimate. The new rate is around 3.2/100,000, according to research published in BMJ Open.
A new study found that songbirds exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides experience anorexic behavior, reduced body weight, and delayed migratory itineraries. This is the first direct evidence of a mechanistic link between the pesticide and declining migratory bird populations.
A global research study led by the University of Otago in New Zealand identified eight genetic variants significantly associated with anorexia nervosa. The findings suggest a metabolic basis to the disease, linking it to traits such as body mass index and physical activity levels.
A large-scale genome-wide association study identifies eight genetic variants associated with anorexia nervosa, suggesting a combination of metabolic and psychiatric components. The findings encourage considering metabolism in understanding the disorder's causes and improving treatment approaches.
A global genome-wide association study identified eight genetic variants linked to anorexia nervosa, revealing a complex interplay between metabolic and psychiatric factors. The research suggests that integrating metabolic information may help clinicians develop better treatment approaches for this potentially lethal illness.
University of Arizona researchers have identified a network of neurons within the amygdala that coordinate with other brain regions to regulate eating behaviors. The findings could help alleviate disease-induced appetite loss or over-eating, which can negatively impact quality of life and treatment success.
A new approach to treating eating disorders involves teaching patients with anorexia how to eat normally, with promising results. The method, which uses a smartphone app to track and regulate food intake, has been shown to achieve a 75% remission rate after just one year of treatment.
Researchers from IDIBELL discovered a negative correlation between orexin A and executive functions in anorexic patients, highlighting potential roles for this neuropeptide in eating disorders and cognitive processes. The study's findings may contribute to the development of biomarkers with clinical applications.
A study of 102 participants, including those with anorexia and healthy controls, found that 30 years later, the majority were healthy but some had persistent eating disorders. The study identified age as a factor in recovery prospects, with teenagers who started anorexia at a slightly older age having better health outcomes.
A recent study found that participants who decided on a post-exercise snack before exercising were more likely to choose a healthier option. The researchers suggest that making the decision early can help individuals resist temptation and make better food choices. The study's findings support the idea that planning ahead can lead to he...
A study by Australian Dietitian Melissa Whitelaw found that 51 patients with 'atypical anorexia' had significant eating disorder psychopathology but were not underweight. The patients experienced life-threatening complications such as low pulse rates and deranged blood electrolytes despite being within or above the healthy weight range.
The Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health program supports junior faculty members Melanie Kornides and Jennifer Lewey to pursue research projects on sex differences and women's health. C. Alix Timko continues her second year of a BIRCWH-sponsored study on adolescent eating disorders.
Scientists found a link between the brain's response to taste stimuli and high anxiety in patients with anorexia nervosa. The study suggests that this response may drive the illness and proposes potential treatments based on manipulating biomarkers.
A new study published in Biological Psychiatry provides updated estimates of the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of eating disorders in the US. The study found that 0.80% of US adults will be affected by anorexia nervosa, 0.28% by bulimia nervosa, and 0.85% by binge eating disorder in their lifetime.
Research finds contemporary eating disorder treatment in UK pays little attention to cultural contexts, such as gender, affecting women and girls disproportionately. A new treatment intervention addresses these issues by examining cultural expectations surrounding femininity.
Researchers identified a genetic locus on chromosome 12 associated with anorexia nervosa, which also shows correlations with neuroticism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that anorexia may have both psychiatric and metabolic roots, potentially leading to new treatment opportunities.
A study of almost 3000 Finnish women found no association between religiosity and the development of anorexia nervosa. In fact, moderate religiosity may even have a small positive effect on body image.
Despite significant weight gain, anorexia nervosa patients' brains continue to exhibit elevated reward systems, suggesting a prolonged recovery period. The study suggests that neurotransmitter dopamine plays a key role in the disease's pathology and may require targeted treatments.
A small study suggests deep brain stimulation is safe for patients with chronic anorexia and may help improve mood, anxiety, and wellbeing while increasing weight. The treatment altered brain circuits that drive anorexia symptoms, leading to improved mental health and quality of life.
New research in adolescent rodents identifies under-expression of α4βδ-GABAA receptors as a risk factor for anorexia nervosa-like behavior. Boosting receptor activity may be a promising treatment strategy, addressing the high mortality rate of this mental illness.
A study found that around two-thirds of women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa will eventually recover from their eating disorders. Recovery tends to happen more quickly for those with bulimia, while anorexia recovery takes longer on average.
A study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa who struggle with insight have abnormal brain connectivity in regions involved in error detection and conflict monitoring. This can lead to poor decision-making and a reduced ability to recognize the danger of their behavior, making recovery more challenging.
Researchers suggest that anorexia nervosa is linked to the brain's reward system and a genetic factor involved in neuron survival. The study found that patients with anorexia nervosa experience increased sweating when viewing images of thin bodies, which may be related to the presence of a specific gene variant.
Researchers found that obese women and those with anorexia nervosa struggle to distinguish between flavors, which could impact food intake. The study suggests that altering the taste intensity of food may be a potential treatment for eating disorders.
Research from the University of Oxford found that schools with higher proportions of female students and university-educated parents have more eating disorders among their students. Eating disorders affect 5.7% of adolescent girls in Sweden, with serious consequences including early death.
A new mouse model has been developed to study anorexia-like conditions triggered by a combination of genetic risk, stress, and dieting. The model closely resembles the conditions leading up to anorexia in humans, particularly in adolescents, and may help identify prevention and treatment strategies.
Researchers at King's College London found that brain stimulation reduced core symptoms of anorexia, including the urge to restrict food intake and feelings of fat. Participants who received real transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) showed more prudent decision-making by waiting for larger rewards.
A recent study published in Nature Neuroscience has found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit distinct brain activity patterns when making food choices, including increased activation in the dorsal striatum. These findings have significant implications for developing new treatments and understanding disease mechanisms.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine found that people with anorexia nervosa have distinct microbial communities compared to healthy individuals, which is associated with some psychological symptoms. The study suggests that altering gut microbiota could help patients with weight maintenance and mood stabilization.
Research finds that prenatal stress in rats can lead to faster weight loss and reduced hunger signals in offspring, resembling anorexia nervosa. Identifying a specific coping style, passive individuals from stressed mothers were more susceptible to anorexic behaviors, providing insight into potential treatment options.
Research reveals anorexics' brain mechanisms that enable them to resist food temptations. Women recovered from anorexia nervosa exhibited decreased response to hunger and increased activation of cognitive control circuits.
People with anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphic disorder share similar abnormalities in their brains that affect processing of global visual information. The study's findings suggest that perceptual retraining may be an effective therapy for both disorders.
A study led by Dr. Howard Steiger found that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit disorder-relevant alterations in DNA methylation, affecting emotional reactions, physiological functions, and behaviors. Early treatment is crucial to prevent chronicity of the illness.
A study published in Biological Psychiatry found that brain shrinkage associated with anorexia nervosa can be reversed through successful weight restoration therapy. The research analyzed cortical thickness in over 100,000 brain locations and showed significant improvements in patients who achieved normal weight and eating behavior.
Two family-based therapies are found to be effective in treating anorexia nervosa in teenagers, with one approach producing faster weight gain and lower hospitalization rates. The study suggests that involving parents in treatment can lead to improved outcomes for adolescents struggling with the life-threatening eating disorder.
A Rutgers study found that positive emotions, even those viewed through a distorted lens, may play a role in fueling eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. Women with the illness often feel emotionally positive about their weight loss progress, which can lead to a vicious cycle of continued weight loss and disordered behaviors.
A small study published in BMJ Open suggests that men with eating disorders are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and understudied. The perception that eating disorders are a women's problem delays men from seeking help, with some experiencing significant distress and suicidal thoughts.
Adolescent girls are more sensitive to untrustworthy faces due to a weaker limbic system connection with the rest of the brain. This leads to heightened responses and a greater disconnection from brain regions involved in regulating responses.
Researchers discovered oxytocin alters anorexic patients' tendencies to fixate on high-calorie foods and body shapes. The study suggests oxytocin may be a potential treatment for anorexia, offering new hope for patients struggling with the mental health disorder.
A large-scale study found that two new psychotherapeutic methods and a specialized form of standard psychotherapy can effectively treat anorexia nervosa in adults. Patients continued to show significant weight gains even after therapy concluded, with improved BMI and mental health outcomes.
Researchers have found that past weight loss can contribute to disordered eating by increasing the severity of symptoms in individuals with anorexia nervosa. The study's findings suggest that taking into account a person's historical and current body weight is crucial for effective treatment.
A large DNA-sequencing study of anorexia nervosa has linked the eating disorder to variants in a gene coding for an enzyme regulating cholesterol metabolism. This finding suggests that anorexia could be caused by disruption in normal cholesterol processing, affecting mood and eating behavior.
Research found that teens with anorexia nervosa had larger insula and orbitofrontal cortex brain areas, which may contribute to their ability to starve themselves. These brain regions process taste and body perception, potentially leading to a distorted sense of hunger and fullness.
Researchers used visual projections of human heartbeats to alter subjects' perception of their body, inducing an out-of-body experience. The study suggests a novel approach to treating self-perception disorders like anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder.
A new study finds that estrogen replacement therapy decreases anxiety symptoms in girls with anorexia nervosa, which may help prevent relapse. The treatment also appears to prevent worsening attitudes toward body image and food.
A landmark study suggests that altered neural circuitry contributes to restricted eating in anorexia and overeating in bulimia. Functional MRI scans revealed diminished responses to sweet tastes in recovered individuals with anorexia, while elevated responses were seen in those with bulimia.
Disturbed body image in anorexia nervosa influences both conscious and unconscious actions, with affected individuals rotating their shoulders to fit through a doorway even when it's not necessary. Current therapeutic interventions should target the body in action to improve the experience of body size.
The incidence of eating disorders is increasing in the UK, with a total of 9072 cases diagnosed over 10 years. The most common type is eating disorders not otherwise specified, which has risen steadily from 32.3 new cases per 100,000 population in 2000 to 37.2 by 2009.