INTRODUCTION: Impulsivity is a complex personality trait related to the control of behavior and emotions and it is present in a wide variety of psychiatric diseases, including eating disorders and particularly in bulimia nervosa (BN). Yet, the relationship between impulsivity and bulimia nervosa, as well as the neurobiological substrates of these disorders, are difficult to discern. OBJECTIVES: The present manuscript reviews the neural substrates for impulsivity, including executive function, preference formation and emotional regulation, and the function of these circuits in individuals with BN. METHODS: A selective review of the literature related to the subject was performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The discussion illustrates the complex relationship between impulsivity and BN, where impulsivity may serve as a vulnerability factor that sensitizes the subjects with BN to negative emotional states that bias the impact of environmental and internal stimuli over behavioral regulation processes, favoring maladaptive and inflexible behavioral patterns.
Médico residente de psiquiatría general, Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia. PhD en Neurociencias, University of Texas Medical Branch, Estados Unidos. Profesor asistente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
Luis Felipe
LF
Orozco-Cabal
David
D
Herin