ABSTRACT
Two females with severe anorexia nervosa were treated with olanzapine in open trials. Olanzapine was tried because it has caused weight gain in other patient groups. Both anorexic patients had a chronic illness and had failed multiple other treatments. Olanzapine administration was associated with weight gain and maintenance as well as reduced agitation and resistance to treatment. These case histories support further exploration of this class of drugs in anorexia nervosa.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/drug therapy , Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Pirenzepine/analogs & derivatives , Adolescent , Benzodiazepines , Female , Humans , Olanzapine , Pirenzepine/therapeutic use , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Disturbances of leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and peptide YY (PYY) have been found in women who are ill with anorexia or bulimia nervosa. It is not certain whether peptide disturbances are cause or consequence of eating disorders. METHODS: Plasma leptin and cerebrospinal fluid leptin, NPY, and PYY concentrations were measured in women who were recovered from anorexia or bulimia nervosa to determine whether alterations persisted after recovery. RESULTS: NPY, PYY, and leptin concentrations were similar across all diagnostic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in NPY, PYY, and serum leptin concentrations are probably secondary to pathological eating behaviors. Alterations of these peptides are unlikely to be trait-related disturbances that contribute to the etiology of eating disorders.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/metabolism , Bulimia/metabolism , Convalescence , Neuropeptide Y/blood , Neuropeptide Y/cerebrospinal fluid , Peptide YY/blood , Peptide YY/cerebrospinal fluid , Proteins/metabolism , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Adult , Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis , Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Body Image , Body Mass Index , Bulimia/diagnosis , Bulimia/psychology , Female , Humans , Severity of Illness Index , Spinal PunctureABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Recent data suggest that serotonin selective reuptake inhibiter (SSRI) medication is useful in preventing relapse in weight-restored anorexics. Our clinical impression has been that SSRIs are not effective in patients who are underweight with anorexia nervosa. METHOD: In order to determine whether there was any benefit for SSRI medication in underweight anorexics, we compared two groups of underweight anorexics upon admission to our inpatient hospital using a retrospective chart review. RESULTS: Sixty percent of anorexic patients were taking an SSRI upon admission to our inpatient hospital. The 24 subjects taking an SSRI were compared to the 16 subjects not taking an SSRI. These two groups had similar ages and body weights as well as scores for measures of anxiety and depression and most core eating disorder symptoms. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that SSRI medication had no effect on clinical symptoms of malnourished underweight anorexics.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/drug therapy , Body Weight/drug effects , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Medical Records , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/pharmacologyABSTRACT
A case history is presented of an 18-year-old male with dissociative disorder and polysubstance abuse. The patient was observed to switch between three personalities, and the personality changes were often associated with symptoms of cataplexy. Both dissociative episodes and cataplexy are associated with strong affective stimuli. Similar reports in the literature are briefly reviewed.