This study will use brain imaging technologies to measure several neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) that contribute to our abilities to respond to reward or inhibit our impulses, and which are known to be altered in the brain of people with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Because palatable food stimulates dopamine secretion, we propose to use a challenge with brain imaging that will stimulate dopamine release which we hypothesize will generate anxiety rather than pleasure in AN, and will help explain why AN restrict eating in order to reduce anxiety. This study will help to understand the unique puzzling symptoms in eating disorders and contribute to finding better methods for identifying effective treatments for these often relapsing and sometimes chronic disorders.

Alterations of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) activity may contribute to extremes of appetitive behaviours in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), through effects on inhibitory and reward neural pathways. To avoid the confounding effects of malnutrition, and because they have behaviours and neural circuit alterations relevant for this study, we will study 25 recovered (REC) restricting-type AN, 25 REC bulimic-type AN (AN-BN), 25 REC BN, and 25 control women (CW). This 5 year study, of women 18 to 45 years old, will employ positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with radioligands for the 5-HT transporter ([11C]DASB) and DA D2/D3 receptors ([11C]raclopride).

Inclusion

• history of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) diagnosis of anorexia or bulimia.
• AN women have history of average body weight (ABW) below 85% for height.
• AN-BN subjects have history of ABW below 85% ABW.
• AN-BN subjects have history of binging/purging behaviors during a period of low weight.
• Subjects must be right-handed.
• Subjects have been recovered for 12 months or more.

Exclusion

• Diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse or dependence in the 3 months.
• Alcohol or substance use within 30 days.
• Current diagnosis of an Axis I disorder.
• Organic brain syndromes, dementia, psychotic disorders, or mental retardation.
• Neurological or medical disorders such as seizure disorder, renal disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, EKG indicative of electrolyte imbalance
• BN subjects whose purging methods were the use of laxatives, diuretics
• Use of psychoactive medication in the 3 months.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Tobacco use in the 3 months.

According to the study protocol and inclusion criteria all participants needed to be female, between age 18 and 65 and were enrolled in the US.

5 years