Review

Abstract

Neuroanatomical and functional studies in the eating disorders (ED) are reviewed. Typically, anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with cerebral spinal fluid spaces enlargement which generally recover as a function of re-feeding. However, specific cortical areas fail to correct in weight restored anorectic patients suggesting trait-related abnormalities. Functional changes in AN associated with starvation reverse with weight recovery, however, reduced 5-HT2A receptor binding may be fundamental to the pathophysiology of AN since this remains after long term weight restoration. Structural studies of bulimia nervosa (BN) provide evidence of brain atrophy, in the absence of significant weight loss but potentially related to chronic dietary restriction. Functional investigations reveal reduced thalamic and hypothalamic serotonin transporter availability in BN which increases with longer illness duration. Thus, BN is associated with substantial structural and functional alterations despite normal weight. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques and their interpretation are increasing our understanding of normal processes in the control of food intake including neuroanatomical correlates of hunger and satiety. Taken together with the structural and functional changes observed in the ED, neuroimaging provides a powerful platform to identify the underlying trait-related pathophysiological mechanisms in the aetiology and maintenance of AN and BN.

Blockade of the serotonin 5-ht2a receptor suppresses cue-evoked reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in a rat self-administration model.

“…Food deprivation is associated with increased 5-HT turnover (Chaouloff et al, 1985; Tsujii et al, 1988; McBlane et al, 1994; Popova et al, 2001), increased cortical 5-HT 2A R density and increased functional responses to pharmacological stimulation of the 5-HT 2A R (Torda, Culman, Cechova, & Murgas 1988; Chaouloff, Baudrie, & Coupry 1994; Yamada, Watanabe, Nankai, & Toru 1995; Davis, Heal, & Stanford 1995; Stanford 1996; Matuszewich & Yamamoto 2003; Stamatakis & Hetherington 2003). Thus, under conditions that eliminate the possible influence of deprivation-induced changes in 5-HT function, we can confidently state that blockade of the 5-HT 2A R does not interfere with the reinforcing effects of cocaine and rule out the possible influence of food deprivation stress as an important independent variable in observed effects (Fletcher et al, 2002; Fantegrossi et al, 2002).…”

Eating Attitudes of Migraine Patients in Turkey: A Prospective Multi-center Study

“…High level of neurotransmitters are suggestive of the roles of limbic system, amygdala and hypothalamus in disease pathogenesis. All the aforementioned data supports that migraine can be a risk factor for EDs (14,15,16).…”