Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 8, 2025
08:26
Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
12.7K
Anhedonia in Eating Disorders
Susan M Murray1, Carina S Brown1, Walter H Kaye1
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, UCSD Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, San Diego, CA, USA.
Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences
|December 29, 2021
Summary
Anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure, is common in eating disorders (ED). This review explores its role in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) by examining reward processing mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Eating Disorder Research
Background:
- Anhedonia is prevalent in individuals with eating disorders (ED), but its specific role in ED pathology and clinical outcomes is not well understood.
- Existing research primarily focuses on anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).
Purpose of the Study:
- To present current findings on anhedonia in ED, focusing on AN and BN.
- To examine anhedonia through the lens of altered reward processing, including subjective experiences, neurochemistry, neural correlates, and cognitive functions related to reward components (liking, wanting, learning).
Main Methods:
- Review of the latest scientific literature on anhedonia in ED.
- Analysis of data related to subjective experience, neurotransmitter function, neural correlates, and cognitive performance in reward processing.
- Inclusion of findings from animal models.
Main Results:
- Anhedonia is linked to altered reward processing in ED, impacting distinct components of reward.
- Evidence from human studies and animal models suggests specific neurobiological and cognitive underpinnings.
- The chapter synthesizes current knowledge on the multifaceted nature of anhedonia in AN and BN.
Conclusions:
- Anhedonia significantly impacts the understanding and treatment of eating disorders.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and develop targeted therapeutic interventions.
- Understanding anhedonia's role in reward processing is crucial for improving clinical outcomes in ED patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
269
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
269
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
243
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
243
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
212
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
212
01:20Taste Buds and Receptors
3.1K
Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...
3.1K
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
181
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
181
01:30Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
139
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia indicate a reduction or absence of typical behaviors and emotional responses found in healthy individuals, while positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functioning.
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,...
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,...
139