title: More than just milk: a review of prolactin's impact on the treatment of anorexia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In completing this review, we aim to educate readers about the physiological importance of the hormone prolactin (PRL) in the treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive review of PRL was undertaken using existing published literature with specific focus on domains pertinent to the treatment of AN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prolactin influences multiple biological processes throughout the body. Disruption in its regulation can impact women's health issues such as menstruation and bone health, which are pertinent to AN treatment. The use of antipsychotics with high D2 receptor affinity for the augmented treatment of AN increases the potential risk of PRL-mediated adverse effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although not intrinsic to underlying disease underpinnings, PRL has the capacity to affect and influence multiple outcome variables in treatment of patients with AN. Improved understanding, better screening and the completion of further prospective research are necessary to help facilitate and incorporate ongoing knowledge translation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Strike
authors.forename: Sandhaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin