Anticipatory effects of food exposure in women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate cephalic phase responses (CPRs) in women diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and to test the assumption that eating disordered individuals respond with more marked CPRs and higher increases in psychophysiological arousal to the presentation of food cues.


METHODS
Thirteen female inpatients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa were compared to 15 non-eating disordered female volunteers. Participants were exposed to their preferred binge food in a single laboratory session with the possibility to eat immediately after the exposure trial.


RESULTS
The results show greater salivation responses to food exposure and lower sympathetic arousal in patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa than in non-eating-disordered participants. Distress and feelings of tension and insecurity during food exposure were higher in patients compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the hypothesis that anticipatory cephalic phase responses are more marked in eating disordered individuals and may therefore play a role in the maintenance of binge eating behavior.
Legenbauer
Tanja
T
Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
Vögele
Claus
C
Rüddel
Heinz
H
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002032:Bulimia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D011603:Psychophysiology; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology*
D006854:Hydrocortisone