The neurobiology of eating disorders--a clinical perspective

Abstract

Objective: To provide a neurobiological basis of eating disorders for clinicians and to enlighten how comparing neurobiology and eating disorders with neurobiology of other psychiatric illnesses can improve treatment protocols.

Method: A selective review on the neurobiology of eating disorders. The article focuses on clinical research on humans with consideration of the anatomical, neural, and molecular basis of eating disorders.

Results: The neurobiology of people with eating disorders is altered. Many of the neurobiological regions, receptors, and chemical substrates that are affected in other mental illnesses also play an important role in eating disorders. More knowledge about the neurobiological overlap between eating disorders and other psychiatric populations will help when developing treatment protocols not the least regarding that comorbidity is common in patients with EDs.

Conclusion: Knowledge about the underlying neurobiology of eating disorders will improve treatment intervention and will benefit from comparisons with other mental illnesses and their treatments.

Keywords: comorbidity; eating disorder; neurobiology; neuroimaging; psychopharmacology.