The Neuroscience of Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders

How Children with Eating Disorders Are Groomed Online

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on May 12, 2024

Within the past decade, pro-eating disorder communities have moved to more discrete online locations, making them hotbeds for the sexual exploitation and grooming of children.

Within the past decade, pro-eating disorder communities have moved to more discrete online locations, making them hotbeds for the sexual exploitation and grooming of children.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders, Chatbot Therapy, and the Uncanny Valley

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on March 12, 2024

While chatbots offer potential benefits like affordability and increased access to therapy, there are significant challenges.

While chatbots offer potential benefits like affordability and increased access to therapy, there are significant challenges.

Anorexia Nervosa

How Anorexia Nervosa Affects the Eyes

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on February 13, 2024

Malnutrition in anorexia nervosa can change the structure and aesthetics of the eyes and might interfere with visual processing.

Malnutrition in anorexia nervosa can change the structure and aesthetics of the eyes and might interfere with visual processing.

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa and Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on January 19, 2024

Severe weight loss in anorexia nervosa can cause superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a gastrointestinal condition that prevents weight gain and recovery from anorexia.

Severe weight loss in anorexia nervosa can cause superior mesenteric artery syndrome, a gastrointestinal condition that prevents weight gain and recovery from anorexia.

Bulimia Nervosa

How Bulimia Nervosa Impacts the Heart

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on November 21, 2023

Purging behavior, a characteristic of bulimia nervosa, can substantially impair how the heart functions.

Purging behavior, a characteristic of bulimia nervosa, can substantially impair how the heart functions.

Eating Disorders

Brain Tumors Masquerading as Eating Disorders

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on October 21, 2023

Binge eating, restrictive eating, and weight loss don't always indicate an eating disorder. In rare cases, these signs could indicate a brain tumor.

Binge eating, restrictive eating, and weight loss don't always indicate an eating disorder. In rare cases, these signs could indicate a brain tumor.

Eating Disorders

Rumination Syndrome: A Lesser-Known Eating Disorder

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on October 8, 2023

Rumination syndrome is an eating disorder of unconscious food regurgitation with an unknown cause.

Rumination syndrome is an eating disorder of unconscious food regurgitation with an unknown cause.

Eating Disorders

"Healthy" Orthorexia vs Orthorexia Nervosa?

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on September 12, 2023

We need to rethink the term "healthy" orthorexia.

We need to rethink the term "healthy" orthorexia.

Eating Disorders

Treating Binge Eating With Drugs Like Ozempic?

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on August 18, 2023

Studies show that Ozempic reduces binge eating in people with a high BMI. The safety/efficacy of Ozempic to treat binge eating in people of diverse weights, however, is unclear.

Studies show that Ozempic reduces binge eating in people with a high BMI. The safety/efficacy of Ozempic to treat binge eating in people of diverse weights, however, is unclear.

Eating Disorders

Relationships Between Schizophrenia and Eating Disorders

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on July 23, 2023

There are several theories for why schizophrenia and eating disorders can co-occur, but no definitive explanations.

There are several theories for why schizophrenia and eating disorders can co-occur, but no definitive explanations.

Gender

Hormone Therapy: Treating Eating Disorders in Trans People

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on May 8, 2023

Recent research suggests that hormone therapy doesn't just improve transgender individuals' psychological health. It can also reduce eating disorder symptoms in this population.

Recent research suggests that hormone therapy doesn't just improve transgender individuals' psychological health. It can also reduce eating disorder symptoms in this population.

Hormones

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Eating Disorders

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on April 21, 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can contribute to eating disorder development. Physicians, therefore, need to rethink recommending weight loss during PCOS treatment.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can contribute to eating disorder development. Physicians, therefore, need to rethink recommending weight loss during PCOS treatment.

Appetite

Is Semaglutide a Miracle Weight-Loss Drug?

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on April 1, 2023

Semaglutide, a diabetes drug, has been called a weight-loss miracle. But will it work for everyone? And what are its side effects?

Semaglutide, a diabetes drug, has been called a weight-loss miracle. But will it work for everyone? And what are its side effects?

Appetite

Can Uridine Improve Anorexia Treatment?

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on February 14, 2023

Recovering from anorexia is challenging, making relapse common. Could uridine, a dietary supplement involved in protein creation, improve treatment outcomes?

Recovering from anorexia is challenging, making relapse common. Could uridine, a dietary supplement involved in protein creation, improve treatment outcomes?

Appetite

Cachexia: Disordered Eating as a Cancer Side Effect

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on January 22, 2023

Cancer cachexia develops in 85% of people with cancer. Why this illness develops and how to treat it, however, remain elusive.

Cancer cachexia develops in 85% of people with cancer. Why this illness develops and how to treat it, however, remain elusive.

Fear

Treating Fear of Weight Gain With Virtual Reality

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on January 3, 2023

Could virtual reality be the missing component for reducing fear of weight gain in anorexia treatment?

Could virtual reality be the missing component for reducing fear of weight gain in anorexia treatment?

Ketamine

Using Ketamine to Treat Anorexia

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on December 4, 2022

Ketamine is emerging as a possible treatment for anorexia. But why might this drug be effective and how does it fit into the bigger treatment picture?

Ketamine is emerging as a possible treatment for anorexia. But why might this drug be effective and how does it fit into the bigger treatment picture?

Coronavirus Disease 2019

COVID-19 Inflammation and Increases in Eating Disorders

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on November 16, 2022

Despite links between the immune system and eating disorder development, few have suggested that COVID-19 might partially explain a recent rise in eating disorders.

Despite links between the immune system and eating disorder development, few have suggested that COVID-19 might partially explain a recent rise in eating disorders.

Eating Disorders

Diabulimia: A Dangerous, Overlooked Eating Disorder

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on October 17, 2022

Anorexia is widely considered the most deadly eating disorder. A lesser-known eating disorder associated with Type 1 diabetes, however, can have equally devastating consequences.

Anorexia is widely considered the most deadly eating disorder. A lesser-known eating disorder associated with Type 1 diabetes, however, can have equally devastating consequences.

Appetite

Exploring Hunger and Fullness Hormones in ARFID

Melinda Karth Ph.D. on September 18, 2022

Could atypical levels of appetite-regulating hormones be contributing to ARFID onset? While new research suggests that they could, it's likely not that simple.

Could atypical levels of appetite-regulating hormones be contributing to ARFID onset? While new research suggests that they could, it's likely not that simple.