Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Psychiatry, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
  • 2 Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • 3 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Front Psychiatry, 2021;12:756669.
PMID: 34777061 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.756669

Abstract

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder which typically develops in younger females. Many studies focus on this specific population, a majority of which will eventually partially or fully recover. A minority will become chronic despite extensive treatment. These patients are treatment-resistant and may not necessarily benefit from usual treatment. In this article we will reflect on possible mechanisms which may explain the maintenance of disease, and especially on the possible role of affective and anxiety disturbances. We will use, due to the lack of large-scale studies, data from risk and prognostic factors, treatment options and neurobiological correlates in chronic AN patients. Lastly, we will propose how these elements may advise further research and treatments.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.