Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Health Commun 2020 Jul 2:1-10. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Narratives have been shown to alter health beliefs through a process called narrative engagement; however, this process has yet to be empirically investigated for how the increasingly popular young adult (YA) novel format can impact health beliefs about anorexia nervosa among emerging adults. Using an experimental design, we found that the YA format fosters narrative engagement through mechanisms of transportation, which is associated with greater endorsement of accurate social and emotional beliefs about anorexia nervosa. Compared to an informational brochure, the narrative format where the main character was a "supportive peer" (but not experiencing the illness herself) increased self-referencing and was perceived as more relevant among emerging adult participants. Read More

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Background: Physical activity (PA) plays a role in the course of anorexia nervosa (AN).

Objective: To assess the association between PA, nutritional status and psychological parameters in patients with AN.

Method: Using a wearable activity monitor, PA was assessed in 60 female AN inpatients, by step count and time spent in 4 metabolic equivalent (MET)-intensity levels: sedentary behaviour, light, moderate and vigorous PA. Read More

Eat Weight Disord 2020 Jul 1. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Dipartimento Di Scienze Della Salute, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, A.O. San Paolo, via A. di Rudinì, 8, 20100, Milan, Italy.

Purpose: To evaluate interoceptive accuracy (Iac) before and after a single yoga class in a population of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in a population of healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Fifteen patients with AN and twenty HC were included in the study. All individuals participated in a single yoga class. Read More

Case Rep Psychiatry 2020 15;2020:6703979. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.

Recently, increasing research stressed the presence of subthreshold autistic traits in patients with other psychiatric conditions. In this framework, a significant relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and the autism spectrum has been frequently reported, in particular among female samples, to the point that AN has been hypothesized to be a female phenotype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). On the other hand, among subjects with ASD has been reported a higher prevalence of immune diseases and altered immune functions. Read More

Am J Psychiatry 2020 Jul;177(7):567-569

McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass., and Harvard Medical School, Boston.

Am J Psychiatry 2020 Jul;177(7):561-563

Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison.

J Clin Med 2020 Jun 27;9(7). Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Eating Disorders Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

High expressed emotion (EE) is common in caregivers of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and associated with poorer outcome for patients. In this study, we examined the prevalence of high EE in caregivers of adolescents with AN and analyzed predictors for EE using multivariate linear regression models. We further analyzed whether EE is reduced by the "Supporting Carers of Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders in Austria" (SUCCEAT) intervention using general linear mixed models and whether a reduction of EE predicts patients' outcomes. Read More

Nutrients 2020 Jun 26;12(6). Epub 2020 Jun 26.

Addictology and Psychiatry Department, Hôpital Saint Jacques, University Hospital of Nantes, 85 rue Saint Jacques, CEDEX 1, 44 093 Nantes, France.

The concept of "food addiction" (FA) has aroused much focus because of evidence for similarities between overeating and substance use disorders (SUDs). However, few studies have explored this concept among the broad spectrum of eating disorders (ED), especially in anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to assess FA prevalence in ED female patients and to determine its associated factors. Read More

Behav Res Ther 2020 May 30;132:103649. Epub 2020 May 30.

University of Groningen, Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, the Netherlands.

Previously, adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed reduced attentional engagement with food cues compared to adolescents without eating disorder (Jonker, Glashouwer, Hoekzema, Ostafin, & De Jong, 2019). This study tested whether (i) improvement in eating disorder symptoms and BMI are related to an increase in attentional engagement with food, and whether (ii) relatively low attentional engagement is related to persistent AN symptomatology, in the same sample of adolescents with AN (N = 69) from the study of Jonker et al. (2019). Read More

Microvasc Res 2020 Jun 27:104036. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Medicine & Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Section of Rheumatology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, via Pupilli 1, 40136 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address:

Objective: The role of nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) in common non-rheumatic conditions has not been systematically reported. The aim of this review is to outline NC features observed in frequent non-rheumatic conditions, providing a practical tool to support rheumatologists for the interpretation of capillaroscopic abnormalities in patients with no established connective tissue disease (CTD).

Methods: We undertook a systematic search in PubMed and Web of Science databases. Read More

Tex Heart Inst J 2020 Apr;47(2):152-154

Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.

Zinc, an essential micronutrient, affects the heart by modulating cardiomyocyte oxidative stress and maintaining myocardial structure, among other mechanisms. In cross-sectional studies, patients with heart failure have often had zinc deficiencies, suggesting effects on the ongoing pathogenesis of heart failure. Low plasma and myocardial zinc levels may cause reversible cardiomyopathy in patients who have nutritional deficiencies. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2020 12;11:568. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Eating Disorders Unit, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Background: In a world of technological advancements, electronic devices and services seem to be a promising way to increase patients' engagement in treatment and to help manage their symptoms. Here, we identified and analyzed the current evidence of RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of e-health interventions in the eating disorder (ED) field.

Methods: We screened an initial cluster of 581 papers. Read More

Front Psychiatry 2020 12;11:534. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Private Practitioner, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

There has been a growing call for sociologically engaged research to better understand the complex processes underpinning Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa (SE-AN). Based on a qualitative study with women in Adelaide, South Australia who were reluctant to seek help for their disordered eating practices, this paper draws on anthropological concepts of embodiment to examine how SE-AN is experienced as culturally grounded. We argue that experiences of SE-AN are culturally informed, and in turn, inform bodily perception and practice in the world. Read More

Turk Psikiyatri Derg 2020 ;31(1):69-73

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder that is characterized by excessive preoccupation with body weight and shape, and conscious attempts to stay in low weight due to fear of weight gain. Vomiting, one of the METHODS used by anorexia nervosa patients to stay in low weight, is one of the most important causes of hypokalemia. Diuretics and diarrhea are other common causes of hypokalemia. Read More

Turk Psikiyatri Derg 2020 ;31(1):22-30

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the attachment security and perceived expressed emotion of female adolescents diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and those without any psychiatric disorder and to compare the expressed emotion of their parents. We also aimed to investigate the relationships between these variables and the effects of depression and anxiety symptoms of the adolescents on attachment security, perceived expressed emotion and expressed emotion of the parents.

Method: The study enrolled 43 female adolescents aged 12-18 years diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and an age and economic statusmatched control group of 37 healthy female adolescents. Read More

Br J Hosp Med (Lond) 2020 Jun 1;81(6):1-8. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder with peak onset in adolescence, which carries the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. It is commonly comorbid with other physical and mental health problems, yet training on management of people with eating disorders and working knowledge of clinicians working with underweight adolescents is inconsistent. This review of anorexia nervosa in adolescents provides an overview of the presentation, aetiology and treatment of this disorder, with a particular focus on the assessment and management of physical health risks, including refeeding syndrome. Read More

J Eat Disord 2020 23;8:25. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

ACUTE Center for Eating Disorders at Denver Health, 723 Delaware St, Pav M 3rd floor, Denver, CO 80204 USA.

Background: Extreme anorexia nervosa (AN) is defined as a BMI < 15 kg/m in those meeting DSM-V diagnostic criteria for AN. This study seeks to define the frequency of medical complications in this group of patients in order to help inform the care of individuals < 65% ideal body weight who seek treatment for their extreme eating disorders.

Methods: Through retrospective chart review and computerized data collection, we obtained the baseline characteristics and medical findings of 281 adult patients, with AN restricting and binge-purge subtypes, admitted to the ACUTE unit for medical stabilization between May 2013 and August 2018. Read More

J Med Ethics 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Psychiatry, NHS Lanarkshire Mental Health Services, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Objectives: To identify and analyse ethical considerations raised when individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) consult for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Methods: Ethical analysis was conducted addressing the issues of best interests and capacity to consent for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in individuals with BDD. Analysis was informed by the findings of semistructured interviews with non-surgical cosmetic practitioners and mental health professionals. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jun 22;9(6). Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.

Background: The main objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN).

Methods: Eight participants received active DBS to the subcallosal cingulate (SCC) or nucleus accumbens (NAcc) depending on comorbidities (affective or anxiety disorders, respectively) and type of AN. The primary outcome measure was body mass index (BMI). Read More

Int J Ment Health Nurs 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

School of Social Sciences, Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK.

Manual restraint, a type of physical restraint, is a common practice in inpatient mental health settings linked to adverse physical and psychological staff and patient outcomes. However, little is known about the use of manual restraint for compulsory nasogastric feeding of patients with anorexia nervosa within inpatient eating disorder settings. The present phenomenological study aimed to explore nursing assistants' experiences of administering manual restraint for compulsory nasogastric feeding of young persons with anorexia nervosa. Read More

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Section of Eating Disorder, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.

Objective: This systematic review assesses the average duration of untreated eating disorder (DUED) in help-seeking populations at the time of first eating disorder (ED) treatment and investigates the relationship between DUED and symptom severity/clinical outcomes.

Method: PRISMA guidelines were followed throughout. Selected studies provided information on either: (i) length of DUED, (ii) components of DUED, (iii) cross-sectional associations between DUED and symptom severity, (iv) associations between DUED and clinical outcomes, or (v) experimental manipulation of DUED. Read More

Curr Opin Psychiatry 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Psychiatry, McGill University.

Purpose Of Review: Studies indicate that environmental factors, acting at various moments throughout the life cycle, can result in epigenetically mediated alterations in gene expression. In this article, we review recent findings on the role of epigenetic factors in eating disorders, address methodological issues that need to be considered when interpreting research findings, and comment on possible clinical applications.

Recent Findings: Evidence suggests that eating disorders implicate alterations of methylation in genes involved in the mental status, metabolism, anthropometric features and immunity. Read More

Eat Weight Disord 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Université Paris-Saclay, Univ. Paris-Sud, UVSQ, CESP, INSERM, Paris, France.

Objective: To compare the global health status, frequency of somatic and psychological problems, and alcohol use in adulthood among women hospitalized in adolescence for severe anorexia nervosa (AN), with a matched control sample from the general population.

Method: Women (n = 86) who had been hospitalized for AN 9.31 ± 1. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jun 18;9(6). Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Eating Disorders Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Interventions for main carers of adult patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) can reduce the caregiving burden and increase caregiver skills. However, the effectiveness and feasibility for carers of adolescent patients, the optimal form of the intervention and long-term outcomes are largely unknown. We evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of the "Supporting Carers of Children and Adolescents with Eating Disorders in Austria" (SUCCEAT) workshop vs. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2020 Jun 22. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.

Background: Functional brain imaging has been used to study brain reward function and behavioral traits in anorexia nervosa (AN). Here we tested whether eye blink relates to behavior and brain imaging response as a method that is less costly and more accessible.

Method: We recruited 26 women with AN and 50 healthy matched controls. Read More

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jul;28(4):361-367

Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Institute of Psychology, Freiburg, Germany.

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jul;28(4):398-409

Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

Objective: The selection of adequate portion sizes plays a key role in the nutritional treatment of eating disorders (EDs). There is limited knowledge concerning the estimation of portion sizes in individuals with EDs.

Method: We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA statement to synthesise current evidence in this field. Read More

Biomed Eng Online 2020 Jun 19;19(1):53. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 40 Roosevelta, 41-800, Zabrze, Poland.

Background: Anorexia nervosa is a clinical disorder syndrome of the wide spectrum without a fully recognized etiology. The necessary issue in the clinical diagnostic process is to detect the causes of this disease (e.g. Read More

J Electrocardiol 2020 Jun 10;61:99-105. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Hearts in Rhythm Organization, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 220-1033 Davie St., Vancouver V6E 1M7, B.C., Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight, distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight. Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, particularly in the QT interval, have been implicated in AN-associated sudden death but not well defined.

Objectives: To characterize QT interval changes during exercise in anorexia nervosa. Read More

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jun 19. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.

Objective: It was the aim of this pilot study to apply a novel eating disorder (ED)-specific home treatment (HoT) to adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and to investigate its feasibility, effects and safety.

Method: Twenty-two patients consecutively admitted to the hospital and fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for typical or atypical AN received HoT after 4-8 weeks of inpatient treatment. During the first two months of HoT, the patient and her family were visited on average three to four times per week, during the third and fourth months of HoT once or twice a week by a multi-professional team. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2020 Jun 17. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Centre for Mental Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Care providers and individuals with severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) are weathering a perfect storm in which the sickest patients receive the least evidence-based treatment and iatrogenic factors play a significant role. Examining access to treatment from an ethical perspective is one strategy for developing more objective protocols related to the care of individuals with SE-AN. Read More

Psychiatry Res 2020 Jun 8;291:113191. Epub 2020 Jun 8.

Institut de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences de Paris, Inserm U1266, Paris, France. Electronic address:

As a polygenic psychiatric disorder, the genetics of anorexia nervosa (AN) remains largely unexplored. Recently a large GWAS meta-analysis identified a significant SNP (rs6589488) as associated with AN. We suggested that rs6589488 might have gotten its association as being in linkage disequilibrium with unknown variants or functional intronic variants. Read More

Horm Behav 2020 Jun 13:104807. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Université de Paris, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP) INSERM U1266, "Vulnerability of Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders", F-75014 Paris, France; Université de Lille, 59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. Electronic address:

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by excessive weight loss, persistent food restriction and inappropriate physical activity relative to declining energy balance. The comorbidity with depression and/or anxiety disorders might contribute to the "chronicization" of the disease. We aimed here to question first the link between physical activity and anxiety from a clinical investigation of AN patients (n = 206). Read More

Eur Eat Disord Rev 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the validity of a MARSIPAN-guidance-adapted Early Warning System (MARSI MEWS) and compare it to the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and an adapted version of the Physical Risk in Eating Disorders Index (PREDIX), to ascertain whether current practice is comparable to best-practice standards.

Methods: We collated 3,937 observations from 36 inpatients from Addenbrookes Hospital over 2017-2018 and used three independent raters to create a "gold standard" of deteriorating cases. We ascertained performance metrics (Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the curve) for MARSI MEWS, NEWS and PREDIX; we also tested the proof of concept of a machine-learning-based early-warning-system (ML-EWS) using cross-validation and out-of-sample prediction of cases. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2020 Jun 15. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.

This commentary on serious and enduring anorexia nervosa adopts the position of a developmental psychiatrist. It argues that this perspective illuminates the etiology and course of severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) and could thus help to develop treatments targeting typical early characteristics of patients with SE-AN. Based on a detailed knowledge of contributing factors, a risk score for SE-AN should be designed by which the probability of chronicity could be calculated at an early stage and preventive measures be taken. Read More

Curr Diab Rep 2020 Jun 15;20(8):32. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Clinic for Eating Disorders and Diabetes, Aspen Centre, Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, Warwick, UK.

Purpose Of Review: This review describes the characteristics of patients with eating disorders in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the principles of their treatment.

Recent Findings: The combination of type 1 diabetes and an eating disorder is sometimes known as "diabulimia". The hallmark of the condition is that the patient deliberately takes an inadequate amount of insulin in order control their body weight (insulin restriction). Read More

Am J Clin Nutr 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT, USA.

Background: Eating disorders affect 13% of females and contribute to functional impairment and mortality, but few studies have identified risk factors that prospectively correlate with future onset of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD). Identifying risk factors specific to each eating disorder is critical for advancing etiologic knowledge and designing effective prevention programs.

Objectives: This study examined whether weight suppression (the difference between a person's highest past weight at their adult height and their current weight) correlates with future onset of AN, BN, BED, and PD. Read More

Int J Eat Disord 2020 Jun 13. Epub 2020 Jun 13.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

The necessity to employ distance-based methods to deliver on-going eating disorder care due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic represents a dramatic and urgent shift in treatment delivery. Yet, TeleHealth treatments for eating disorders in youth have not been adequately researched or rigorously tested. Based on clinical experience within our clinic and research programs, we aim to highlight the common challenges clinicians may encounter in providing family-based treatment (FBT) via TeleHealth for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Read More

Pharmacol Res Perspect 2020 Jun;8(3):e00615

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St. Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

Very little is known to which extent severe underweight could affect cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzyme activity. In this study, 24 patients with anorexia nervosa at two occasions ingested single oral doses of five test drugs known to be metabolized by CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, respectively. A mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the effect of changes in body mass index (BMI) on the metabolic activities of these enzymes. Read More

Sports Health 2020 Jul/Aug;12(4):327-333. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

West Virginia University School of Medicine-Charleston Division.

Context: Eating disorders (EDs) in male athletes are potentially debilitating disorders with significant medical, psychological, and athletic performance consequences.

Evidence Acquisition: Searches were performed across PubMed, EBSCOhost, and PSYCinfo from 1990 to 2019. Keywords searched were , and . Read More

Fam Syst Health 2020 Jun;38(2):151-161

Neuropsychiatry Unit.

Introduction: Studies about family functioning in adolescent anorexia nervosa (AN) are conflicting and often do not consider the possible differences between the restricting and binge/purging subtypes (AN-R and AN-B/P). Moreover, an underestimated element is the quality of the coparenting relationship, that is, the level of coordination and agreement between parents, as well as the methods of managing parental conflict.

Method: The study aims to explore family functioning, coparenting and conflict management in a sample of 60 adolescents with AN-R and AN-B/P and their relations with AN severity in terms of body mass index (BMI). Read More

Personal Neurosci 2020 19;3:e2. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Department Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Psychiatric disorders can often be viewed as extremes of personality traits. The primary action of drugs that ameliorate these disorders may, thus, be to alter the patient's position on a relevant trait dimension. Here, we suggest that interactions between such trait dimensions may also be important for disorder. Read More

Clin Psychol Rev 2020 Jul 27;79:101872. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America; The Emily Program, St. Paul, MN, United States of America.

Models of anorexia nervosa (AN) posit that symptoms are maintained through deficient reward and enhanced punishment processing. However, theoretical and empirical inconsistencies highlight the need for a more nuanced conceptualization of this literature. Our goal was to comprehensively review the research on reward and punishment responding in AN from a cue-specific lens to determine which stimuli evoke or discourage reward and punishment responses in this population, and, ultimately, what properties these rewarding and punishing cues might share. Read More

Arch Dis Child 2020 Jun 9. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Paediatric Department, St George's Hospital, London, UK

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2020 Jun 9;18(1):45. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Division of Rheumatology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.

Background: Severe vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, encompasses a syndrome of multisystem abnormalities due to defective collagen synthesis and antioxidative functions. Among the more common presentations is a combination of oral or subcutaneous hemorrhage with lower extremity pain, the latter often exhibiting inflammatory bone changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Case Presentation: A 12-year-old male with anorexia nervosa presented with asymmetric painful swelling of multiple fingers of both hands. Read More

Amyloid 2020 Jun 9:1-2. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.

J Eat Disord 2020 1;8:20. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Regional Department for Eating Disorders, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.

Background: Studies of the use and effects of physical restraint in anorexia nervosa (AN) treatment are lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of physical restraint in a specialized program for adolescents with AN, and to examine if meal-related physical restraint (forced nasogastric tube-feeding) was related to 5-year outcome.

Method: Thirty-eight (66% of 58) patients with AN (mean age 15. Read More

Rev Psiquiatr Salud Ment 2020 Jun 5. Epub 2020 Jun 5.

Complutense University Medical School, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain.

Introduction: Differences in bulimic and impulsive behaviours in Eating Disorders (ED) have been associated with cortico-striatal circuit dysfunction at a neurobiological level. We sought to investigate neo-striatal volume as a biomarker in ED subgroups as well as the possible relationship with trauma history.

Material And Methods: We studied 24 female patients: Anorexia Nervosa AN (n=8), Bulimia Nervosa BN (n=9), comorbid ED with borderline personality disorder (EDc; n=7), and a group of Healthy Controls (n=19). Read More

Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020 May 23;119:104722. Epub 2020 May 23.

Eating Disorders Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Introduction: Disruptions in homeostatic and hedonic food motivation are proposed to underlie anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN, restrictive eating disorders which commonly onset in puberty. Ghrelin, a neuroprotective hormone that drives hedonic eating is increased in AN and is expressed in the hippocampus. White matter (WM) undergoes significant change during puberty in regions involved in food motivation, particularly WM tracts connected with the hippocampus. Read More

medRxiv 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

We received rapid ethical permission to evaluate the early impact of COVID-19 on people with eating disorders. Participants in the United States (US, N=511) and the Netherlands (NL, N=510), recruited through ongoing studies and social media, completed an online baseline survey that included both quantitative measures and free-text responses assessing the impact of COVID-19 on situational circumstances, eating disorder symptoms, eating disorder treatment, and general well-being. Results revealed strong and wide-ranging effects on eating disorder concerns and illness behaviors that were consistent with diagnoses. Read More