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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in anorexia nervosa: a role for atypical antipsychotics?
Peter Bosanac1, Trevor Norman, Graham Burrows
1Austin Health and Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia. bosanacp@unimelb.edu.au
Objective:
To review serotonergic and dopaminergic system function in anorexia nervosa in terms of potential modulation by atypical antipsychotic medications.
Method:
A systematic review of clinical, neurobiological and functional neuroimaging findings of serotonergic and dopaminergic system activity in anorexia nervosa was conducted via MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE psychiatry databases, with a critical review of dysregulation of these systems as therapeutic targets for atypical antipsychotics, in context of evidence regarding the utility and efficacy of these medications in this syndrome.
Results:
There is evidence of persistently altered serotonergic and dopaminergic function in anorexia nervosa independent to weight-recovery. Case reports, open-label and single-blinded studies, albeit sparse, suggest that atypical antipsychotics may be beneficial in the management of anorexia nervosa psychopathology beyond weight gain.
Conclusions:
Double-blind placebo controlled studies of atypical antipsychotics in anorexia nervosa with well defined outcome measures are required.
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