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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
07:46
Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Anorexia nervosa associated with right frontal brain lesion
Emmanuelle Houy1, Bertrand Debono, Pierre Dechelotte
1Department of Psychiatry, Rouen University Hospital and Rouen Hospital Le Rouvray, INSERM U614, University of Medicine, Rouen, France. emmanuelle.houy-durand@chu-rouen.fr
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|August 9, 2007
Summary
A brain lesion, specifically a cavernoma, was linked to the development of anorexia nervosa in a patient. Surgical removal of the lesion led to a complete recovery from the eating disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder with multifactorial etiology.
- The potential contribution of organic brain pathology to anorexia nervosa remains an area of investigation.
Observation:
- A case report details a female patient who developed anorexia nervosa.
- The patient had a coincidental discovery of a right sylvian cavernoma following a seizure.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of the cavernoma resulted in complete remission of anorexia nervosa.
- The patient experienced a two-year follow-up with sustained recovery.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential causal link between specific brain lesions and the pathophysiology of anorexia nervosa.
- Highlights the importance of considering organic brain contributions in eating disorder cases.
- Supports the role of neurosurgery in treating specific etiologies of anorexia nervosa.
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