Related Experiment Videos
Set-point displacement for behavioural thermoregulation in anorexia nervosa
Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|June 1, 1982
Summary
Some patients with anorexia nervosa exhibit higher thermal preferences, suggesting an elevated thermoregulation set-point. This may explain their persistent feeling of cold, independent of malnutrition or thyroid status.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Physiology
- Thermoregulation
Background:
- Anorexia nervosa is associated with altered sensory processing.
- Patients with anorexia nervosa often report a persistent feeling of coldness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thermal pleasantness preferences in patients with anorexia nervosa.
- To explore the relationship between body temperature and thermal preferences in anorexia nervosa.
Main Methods:
- Determined preferred thermal stimulus temperatures for hands in 14 anorexia nervosa patients and 19 controls.
- Standardized skin temperature to 35°C via water immersion.
- Measured serum free thyroxine and observed responses to induced hyperthermia.
Main Results:
- Six anorexia nervosa patients preferred significantly higher temperatures than controls.
- Abnormal thermal preferences persisted post-weight gain and were not linked to thyroid status.
- Hyperthermia induced a lower preference shift in some anorexia nervosa patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Some anorexia nervosa patients may have an elevated behavioral thermoregulation set-point.
- This set-point elevation could contribute to the sensation of cold experienced by patients.
- Altered thermoregulation may be a persistent feature in anorexia nervosa, beyond nutritional status.