A translational neuroscience approach to body image disturbance and its remediation in anorexia nervosa

Int J Eat Disord. 2017 Sep;50(9):1014-1017. doi: 10.1002/eat.22742. Epub 2017 Jul 29.

Abstract

Deviant perception of the body is a fundamental component of anorexia nervosa. Here we offer a potential mechanistic explanation that involves perturbations within the visual system and the brain circuits that modulate perceptual organization. Based on the model proposed, we also suggest a mechanistic strategy for altering neuronal activity in the visual system to normalize perception of the body, and set out a strategy for empirically testing its clinical application.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; body image; visual cortex.

MeSH terms

  • Anorexia Nervosa / etiology
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Anorexia Nervosa / therapy*
  • Body Image / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Visual Cortex / pathology*