title: Biological therapies for eating disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a comprehensive review of pharmacotherapy and other biological treatments for eating disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature on this topic was systematically reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bulimia nervosa (BN) literature underscores the utility of antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, in improving the symptoms of the disorder. The literature on binge eating disorder supports efficacy on reduction in binge eating frequency for a variety of compounds. However, such compounds have only modest effects on weight. Certain antiepileptic agents such as topiramate, if tolerated, are probably more useful in terms of weight loss. The number of controlled trials in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) in particular has been quite small, and recent meta-analyses show disappointing results using atypical antipsychotics in AN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pharmacological treatment of eating disorders remains an underdeveloped field although drug therapy clearly plays a role in the treatment of those with BN and binge eating disorder. Other biological therapies have not been adequately studied.
authors: Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA. Mitchell@medicine. nodak.edu
authors: James E
authors: JE
authors: Mitchell
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Roerig
authors: Kristine
authors: K
authors: Steffen
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
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