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Updated: Jun 17, 2026
07:46
Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Atypical antipsychotics and anorexia nervosa: a review
Rebecca F McKnight1, Rebecca J Park
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Warneford Lane, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK. rebecca.mcknight@psych.ox.ac.uk
Summary
Atypical antipsychotics show promise for treating anorexia nervosa (AN) symptoms like depression and anxiety, but more research is needed to confirm their effectiveness, especially for weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mixed opinions exist on the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics for anorexia nervosa (AN).
- A comprehensive literature review was conducted to address this uncertainty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate existing literature on the use of atypical antipsychotics in treating patients with AN.
Main Methods:
- A narrative synthesis of studies and clinical guidelines published before September 2009.
- Included randomized-controlled trials, open-label trials, and case reports.
Main Results:
- Forty-three publications were reviewed, focusing on olanzapine, quetiapine, and risperidone.
- Atypical antipsychotics appear safe and may improve depression, anxiety, and core eating disorder psychopathology.
- Evidence for weight gain enhancement is currently insufficient.
Conclusions:
- High-quality evidence is required to guide clinical practice.
- Recruiting sufficient numbers of AN patients for research trials remains a significant challenge.
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