Neuropsychological function in patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
This study explored the neuropsychological performance of patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) compared with healthy controls (HCs). An additional aim was to investigate the effect of several possible mediators on the association between eating disorders (EDs) and cognitive function.


METHODS
Forty patients with AN, 39 patients with BN, and 40 HCs who were comparable in age and education were consecutively recruited to complete a standardized neuropsychological test battery covering the following cognitive domains: verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, speed of information processing, visuospatial ability, working memory, executive function, verbal fluency, attention/vigilance, and motor function.


RESULTS
The AN group scored significantly below the HCs on eight of the nine measured cognitive domains. The BN group also showed inferior performance on six cognitive domains. After adjusting for possible mediators, the nadir body mass index (lowest lifetime BMI) and depressive symptoms explained all findings in the BN group. Although this adjustment reduced the difference between the AN and HC groups, the AN group still performed worse than the HCs regarding verbal learning and memory, visual learning and memory, visuospatial ability, working memory, and executive functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with EDs scored below the HCs on several cognitive function measures, this difference being most pronounced for the AN group. The nadir BMI and depressive symptoms had strong mediating effects. Longitudinal studies are needed to identify the importance of weight restoration and treatment of depressive symptoms in the prevention of a possible cognitive decline.
Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Specialised Unit for Eating Disorder Patients, Department of Psychiatry, Levanger Hospital, Health Trust Nord-Trøndelag, Levanger, Norway.
Siri
S
Weider
Marit Saebø
MS
Indredavik
Stian
S
Lydersen
Knut
K
Hestad
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; neuropsychology