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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study
F Van den Eynde1, S Guillaume, H Broadbent
1King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Section of Eating Disorders, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Frederique.van_den_eynde@kcl.ac.uk
Summary
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows promise for treating anorexia nervosa. A pilot study found one rTMS session reduced core eating disorder symptoms like anxiety and body image concerns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder with limited effective treatments.
- Investigating novel therapeutic interventions for AN is crucial to improve patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and tolerability of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in individuals with AN.
- To determine if a single session of rTMS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex can reduce eating disorder-related symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving ten right-handed individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
- One session of high-frequency rTMS applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.
- Assessment of subjective eating disorder symptoms (e.g., urge to restrict, feeling full, anxiety) before and after rTMS exposure to food stimuli.
Main Results:
- Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was found to be safe and well-tolerated by participants.
- Following rTMS, participants reported significant reductions in feelings of fullness, fatness, and anxiety.
- These findings suggest a potential immediate impact of rTMS on core AN symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A single session of rTMS may offer a potential therapeutic benefit for reducing core symptoms in anorexia nervosa.
- Further research is warranted to explore the broader therapeutic efficacy and long-term potential of rTMS for AN treatment.
