title: Serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in anorexia nervosa: a role for atypical antipsychotics?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review serotonergic and dopaminergic system function in anorexia nervosa in terms of potential modulation by atypical antipsychotic medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of clinical, neurobiological and functional neuroimaging findings of serotonergic and dopaminergic system activity in anorexia nervosa was conducted via MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE psychiatry databases, with a critical review of dysregulation of these systems as therapeutic targets for atypical antipsychotics, in context of evidence regarding the utility and efficacy of these medications in this syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is evidence of persistently altered serotonergic and dopaminergic function in anorexia nervosa independent to weight-recovery. Case reports, open-label and single-blinded studies, albeit sparse, suggest that atypical antipsychotics may be beneficial in the management of anorexia nervosa psychopathology beyond weight gain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Double-blind placebo controlled studies of atypical antipsychotics in anorexia nervosa with well defined outcome measures are required.
authors.affiliation: Austin Health and Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia. bosanacp@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bosanac
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Beumont
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine