title: Understanding the reward system functioning in anorexia nervosa: crucial role of physical activity.
abstract: Hyperactivity is a potential neurobiological marker and a core psychopathological trait in anorexia nervosa (AN). We investigated the processing of hyperactivity-related information in fifteen AN patients, 15 athletes and 15 non-athletes to examine if they represent disorder-related reward information using eye tracking. We assessed the extent of individually performed physical activity, mood, trait reward sensitivity and serum leptin levels. Results revealed a pronounced bias in overall attentional engagement toward stimuli associated with physical activity in patients and athletes as compared to non-athletes. In patients, relevant correlations were found: trait reward sensitivity and attentional orienting were strongly correlated and amount of physical activity correlated with attentional orienting and engagement. Compared to non-athletes, patients and athletes rated exercise stimuli as more pleasant. Findings suggest that exercise-related stimuli are perceived as rewarding by AN patients. Positive motivational valence of physical activity might contribute to disorder development and maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Katrin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Giel
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kullmann
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Preißl
authors.forename: Stephan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: Ansgar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiel
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zipfel
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teufel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D012201:Reward
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin
keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Eating disorders; Eye tracking; Hyperactivity; Physical activity; Reward