Neuropsychological function in patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa

Siri Weider · Marit Sæbø Indredavik · Stian Lydersen · Knut Asbjørn Hestad

94 citations0/0 files storedInternational Journal of Eating Disorders

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Eating Disorders and Behaviors Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the neuropsychological performance of patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) compared with healthy controls (HCs). An additional aim was to investigate the effect of several possible mediators on the association between eating disorders (EDs) and cognitive function. METHOD: Forty patients with AN, 39 patients with BN, and 40 HCs who were comparable in age and education were consecutively recruited to complete a standardized neuropsychological test battery covering the following cognitive domains: verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, speed of information processing, visuospatial ability, working memory, executive function, verbal fluency, attention/vigilance, and motor function. RESULTS: The AN group scored significantly below the HCs on eight of the nine measured cognitive domains. The BN group also showed inferior performance on six cognitive domains. After adjusting for possible mediators, the nadir body mass index (lowest lifetime BMI) and depressive symptoms explained all findings in the BN group. Although this adjustment reduced the difference between the AN and HC groups, the AN group still performed worse than the HCs regarding verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, visuospatial ability, working memory, and executive functioning. DISCUSSION: Patients with EDs scored below the HCs on several cognitive function measures, this difference being most pronounced for the AN group. The nadir BMI and depressive symptoms had strong mediating effects. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify the importance of weight restoration and treatment of depressive symptoms in the prevention of a possible cognitive decline.

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References

1993A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests: Administration, Norms, and Commentary 2007Neurobiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa 2007A systematic review and meta-analysis of set-shifting ability in eating disorders 2006Psychiatric Comorbidities of Female Inpatients With Eating Disorders 2005Is Impaired Set-Shifting an Endophenotype of Anorexia Nervosa?2000Twin studies of eating disorders: A review 2008Central coherence in eating disorders: a systematic review 2010Set-shifting abilities, central coherence, and handedness in anorexia nervosa patients, their unaffected siblings and healthy controls: Exploring putative endophenotypes

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