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Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Innovative Pharmacological Approaches to Eating Disorder Treatment
Aaron Keshen1, Stephen Touyz2, Emilie Lacroix3
1Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Room 3005, 5909 Veterans Memorial Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 2E2, Canada.
Abstract:
This article explores innovative pharmacologic treatments for eating disorders, focusing on psychedelics, stimulant medications, and other emerging therapies. Preliminary evidence for psychedelics (eg, psilocybin) highlight their potential to enhance cognitive flexibility and support psychological interventions in some eating disorders (eg, anorexia nervosa). Stimulants like lisdexamfetamine offer benefits for binge-eating disorder, while medications for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and bulimia nervosa remain understudied. The study underscores the need for robust clinical trials to evaluate these approaches and advocates for integrating novel treatments into existing therapeutic frameworks to address the complex biological and psychological dimensions of eating disorders.
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