Cognitive function in eating disorders and therapeutic approach

We examined brain activation in the presence of eating disorders while processing unpleasant words concerning body images using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Anorexia nervosa restricting type (AN-R) and anorexia nervosa binge-eating/ purging type (AN-BP) patients showed significant amygdala activation. Farther, AN-BP and bulimia nervosa (BN) patients showed significant medial prefrontal cortex activation. Next, we conducted short-term integrated group therapy for eating disorders. After treatment, depressive scores of POMS and emotional-oriented coping scores of CISS were significantly decreased, and EAT scores and self-esteem scores of RSES were significantly increased.