The partial dopamine D2 receptor agonist aripiprazole is associated with weight gain in adolescent anorexia nervosa.
Finding medication to support treatment of anorexia nervosa has been difficult. Neuroscience-based approaches may help in this effort. Recent brain imaging studies in adults and adolescents with anorexia nervosa suggest that dopamine-related reward circuits are hypersensitive and could provide a treatment target.



Here, we present a retrospective chart review of 106 adolescents with anorexia nervosa some of whom were treated with the dopamine D2 receptor partial agonist aripiprazole during treatment in a specialized eating disorder program.



The results show that aripiprazole treatment was associated with greater increase in body mass index (BMI) during treatment.



The use of dopamine receptor agonists may support treatment success in anorexia nervosa and should be further investigated.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.|Department of Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Guido K W
0000-0002-6590-3441
GK
Frank
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Megan E
ME
Shott
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Jennifer O
JO
Hagman
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Marissa A
MA
Schiel
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.|Department of Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Marisa C
MC
DeGuzman
Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
Brogan
B
Rossi
D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068180:Aripiprazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000819:agonists*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012201:Reward; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; D000068180:Aripiprazole
anorexia nervosa; aripiprazole; dopamine; eating disorder; medication; receptor; treatment; weight gain