Rethinking Anorexia Nervosa Through the Lens of Control, Compulsion and Reward: Neurobiological Insights Into Addiction-Like Features via the Dopaminergic, Endocannabinoid, and Orexinergic Systems - A
5 hours ago
- #addiction
- #anorexia nervosa
- #neurobiology
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder with high mortality, characterized by food restriction and compulsive weight-loss behaviors.
- Evidence suggests AN may involve addiction-like mechanisms related to reward processing, compulsivity, and habit formation.
- The neurobiological basis of addiction-like features in AN remains unclear, hindering effective treatment development.
- Key neurobiological systems implicated in AN and addiction include the endocannabinoid, dopaminergic, and orexin systems.
- A narrative review synthesizes psychological models and neurobiological findings on AN's addiction-like features.
- The review proposes a Starvation-Drive Model of Addiction-Like Features in AN, linking starvation-induced reward processes to illness persistence.