Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Cognitive profile of children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa
Gry Kjaersdam Telléus1, Jens Richardt Jepsen, Mette Bentz
1Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Section of Eating Disorders, Unit for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
Objective:
Few studies of cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been conducted. The aim of this study was to examine the neurocognitive and intelligence profile of this clinical group.
Method:
The study was a matched case-control (N = 188), multi-centre study including children and adolescents with AN (N = 94) and healthy control participants (N = 94).
Results:
The results suggest that Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III) in this patient group is close to the normal population mean of 100. Individuals with AN exhibited significantly worse performance in nonverbal intelligence functions (i.e. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Perceptual Organization Index) and in verbal memory (Test of Memory and Learning-Second Edition, Memory for Stories) and motor speed (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Simple and Choice Reaction Time) compared with healthy control participants. No significant difference in set-shifting ability (Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, Intra-Extra Dimensional Set Shift and Trail Making Test B) was found.
Conclusions:
Inefficiency in nonverbal intelligence functions and in specific cognitive functions was found in this study of children and adolescents with AN.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorders
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...

