A research team may have discovered the neurological mechanism underlying a common eating disorder (Donepezil treats anorexia)

Medical Xpress / McGill University / Nature Communications ^ | July 8, 2024 | Katherine Gombay / Mathieu Favier et al

[ConservativeMind]

A research team working in collaboration with a French team believes it has identified both the neurological mechanism underlying anorexia nervosa as well as a possible cure.

The international team's findings have the potential to improve the lives of millions of people around the world, mostly women, who suffer from the common eating disorder, which has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease.

Working with mice, the researchers discovered that a deficit in the acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in an area of the brain called the striatum, which is associated with the reward system, can lead to excessive habit formation and precipitate the compulsive self-starvation seen in people who suffer from anorexia nervosa.

Dr. Salah El Mestikawy said the research team decided to see whether using donepezil, a medication which is known to increase the presence of acetylcholine in the brain, could have an effect on these compulsive self-destructive behaviors.

"We found that it fully reversed the anorexia-like behavior in mice, and we believe that it could potentially offer the first mechanism-based treatment of anorexia nervosa. In fact, we are already seeing its effects on some patients with the disease."

Ongoing independent studies in Toronto and Montreal, led by Dr. Leora Pinhas, an independent psychiatrist, are showing positive results for 10 patients with severe anorexia nervosa who are being treated with low doses of donepezil. Three of the patients are in full remission and the other seven patients show a marked improvement in the disease.

[ConservativeMind]

This inexpensive drug, donepezil, puts some into full remission.

It seems there is a choline issue going on with anorexics.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Williams]

Thank you, as always.

[ComputerGuy]

This one hits home. I’ll pass it on. Thanks.

[Persevero]

So if I can create a deficit in my acetylcholine, food will repel me?

Hmmm

[Chickensoup]

I wonder whether it will work with trans

I suspect there is a strong similarity both in obsessional thoughts and distorted body image.

Worth a try

[Chickensoup]

I wonder whether it will work with trans

I suspect there is a strong similarity both in obsessional thoughts and distorted body image.

Worth a try