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Biological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa. Neural Explanations (1) . Neurotransmitters Serotonin Disturbances in serotonin levels are characteristic with those with eating disorders. Persistent disruption to serotonin levels leads to increased anxiety which can trigger anorexia.
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Neural Explanations (1) • Neurotransmitters • Serotonin • Disturbances in serotonin levels are characteristic with those with eating disorders. • Persistent disruption to serotonin levels leads to increased anxiety which can trigger anorexia
Neural Explanations (1) • Neurotransmitters • Dopamine • Kaye et al (2005) use a PET scan to compare dopamine activity in the brains of 10 recovering and 12 healthy women • Found in anorexics over activity in dopamine receptors in the basal gangia (where brain responds to harm and pleasure) • Anorexics find it difficult to associate good feelings with the things most people find pleasurable (food)
Neural Explanations (2) • Neurodevelopment • Pregnancy • Premature birth • Birth complications lead to brain damage (hypoxia – lack of oxygen) impairs brain development of the child. • Bulik et al (2005) ‘Double disadvantage’
Neural Explanations (2) • Neurodevelopment • Season of birth • Born during spring months • Infections during pregnancy
