[Functional disturbances of the hypothalamus in patients with anorexia nervosa]

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a complex disease characterized by abnormal feeding behaviour, food aversion and acute disturbances in perception of the body shape. Every eating disorder comes about as a consequence of disturbances in synaptic transmission in particular brain regions (hypothalamus, limbic system, cortical centres). The human and animal feeding physiology is precisely regulated by autonomic nuclei of hypothalamus. The perikarya of arcuate nucleus, lateral hypothalamic nuclei and other areas produce and release both the orexigenic (e.g. NPY) and anorexigenic (e.g. a-MSH) signalling substances. The novel hypothalamic and peripheral neurohormones: orexins and ghrelin as well as serotonin and dopamine seem to play a significant role in pathogenesis of eating disorders. In anorexia nervosa simultaneous excess of orexigenic and anorexigenic factors may evoke a "mixed signal" leading to failure of hypothalamic regulatory pathways. Experimental results also suggest that women with anorexia nervosa have disturbances of regional cerebral blood flow.