Studies of Neuroendocrine and Energy Metabolism in Patients With Eating Disorders

Studies of Neuroendocrine and Energy Metabolism in Patients With Eating Disorders

This study aims to investigate neuroendocrine, autonomic functioning, and energy metabolism in patients with eating disorder and their relationships with psychopathology of eating disorders (eating patterns, depression, and personality) in these patients.

The study subjects include female patients with DSM-IV diagnosis of AN (n = 30), BN (n = 60) and age-controled normal subjects (n = 30). They will receive a clinical interview and are asked to complete several self-administered questionnaires which included eating-related questionnaires, general psychological functioning scales and personality scales. After overnight fast, each subject undergoes a blood sample collection for neuroendocrine examination, body composition examination using BIA method, basal metabolic rate measurement by indirect calorimetry, and ECG in the morning between 0800 and 0900. Clinical patients would be asked to repeat filling the self-rating scales, weight and body fat measurement, as well as blood drawing again 2 months after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects who fulfilled DSM-IV diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
• Normal controls

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any major psychiatric disorders
• Use of psychoactive medications
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Medical problems (cardiovascular condition and endocrine disorders)