EATING DISORDERS, DIETING AND SEROTONIN
Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Barbara E. Wolfe, Ph.D., R.N., Eran D. Metzger, M.D., Dianne M. Finkelstein, Ph.D., David C. Jimerson, M.D.
The focus of this project is to evaluate the role of the central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitter serotonin in altered eating patterns in patients with bulimia nervosa. Previous neurobiological studies have demonstrated abnormalities in serotonin function in this eating disorder. These changes may contribute to impaired post-ingestive satiety responses, preoccupation with food, and large size of binge meals. Pharmacological treatment of bulimia nervosa with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and related antidepressant medications is thought to decrease the frequency of binge eating episodes by augmenting responsiveness in CNS serotonergic pathways modulating food intake, mood, and impulsivity. The possible influence of dieting on CNS serotonin regulation is also of interest, given that dieting is a common precursor to the onset of symptoms for many patients with eating disorders. Previous studies in healthy volunteers suggest that dieting decreases CNS serotonin synthesis through a reduction in availability of the essential amino acid tryptophan. On-going laboratory studies are evaluating eating behavior at baseline and in response to serotonergic medications in patients with eating disorders, with comparative studies in healthy volunteers. Additional variables being evaluated include symptom severity, mood and dieting behaviors.
Key words: bulimia nervosa, eating disorders, serotonin, dieting
Grant Support. NIMH: R01 MH 57395: Study of Serotonin Regulation in Eating Disorders (BEW); NIH: MO1 RR 01032: General Clinical Research Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (M Rosenblatt, PI).
Program Sites. Department of Psychiatry and General Clinical Research Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Program Director. Barbara E. Wolfe, Ph.D., R.N., Psychiatry Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.
Contact Person. Kristie Smith, M.A., Study Coordinator. Tele: (617) 667-4672. Fax: (617) 667-3225.
Training Opportunities. Training opportunities may be available on an individualized basis.
Representative Publications.
Wolfe BE, Metzger ED, Stollar C. The effects of dieting on plasma tryptophan concentration and food intake in healthy women. Physiol Behav 1997; 61:537-541.
Wolfe BE, Metzger EM, Jimerson DC. Research update on serotonin function in bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. Psychopharmacol Bull 1997; 33:345-354.
Wolfe BE, Metzger ED, Jimerson DC. Eating Disorders. In Butarro TM et al. (Eds.). Primary Care: A Collaborative Approach. St. Louis, MO, Mosby, 1999; 1077-1080.
Wolfe BE, Metzger ED, Levine JM, Finkelstein DM, Cooper TB, Jimerson DC. Serotonin function following remission from bulimia nervosa. Neuropsychopharmacology 2000, 22:257-263.
Wolfe BE, Metzger ED, Levine JM, Jimerson DC. Laboratory screening for electrolyte abnormalities and anemia in bulimia nervosa: A controlled study. Int J Eat Disord 2001, 30:388-293.
December, 2001