2. Biological Mechanisms Behind Anorexia Nervosa

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About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about some of the biological mechanisms behind anorexia nervosa, focusing in particular on: (i) the range and prevalence of different eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa and other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED); (ii) the role of twin studies in separating genetic from environmental factors; (iii) the reporting from twin studies that around 70% of anorexia nervosa prevalence can be attributed to genetic factors, and the scepticism around the potential overinflation of that percentage; (iv) the role of serotonin in the development of anorexia nervosa; (v) the phenomenon that high levels of serotonin, which can be generated through eating, can evoke anxiety in individuals with anorexia nervosa; (vi) the brain’s response to continued low serotonin levels (present in individuals with anorexia nervosa through long periods of not eating) as forming more serotonin receptors, leading to higher serotonin sensitivity; (vii) the similar role and effects of dopamine in individuals with eating disorders.

Course

In this course, Dr Laura Renshaw-Vuillier (Bournemouth University) explores the mechanisms behind anorexia nervosa and obesity. In the first lecture, we think about some of the neural and hormonal bases for normal eating behaviours. In the second lecture, we think about some of the biological mechanisms behind anorexia nervosa, including the prevalence of genetic explanatory factors. Next, we think about some psychological mechanisms behind anorexia nervosa, including family systems theory, social learning theory and cognitive theory. In the fourth and final lecture, we think about some of the mechanisms behind obesity, covering neural, hormonal, and psychological factors.

Lecturer

Dr Laura Renshaw Vuillier is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Bournemouth University. Dr Renshaw-Vuillier’s research interests surround the neural basis of emotion processing and regulation in eating disorders, as well as developing early interventions to help young people with gambling problems. Some of Dr Renshaw-Vuillier’s recent publications include 'The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with eating disorders: the role of emotion regulation and exploration of online treatment experiences' (2021) and 'Believing emotions are uncontrollable is linked to eating disorder psychopathology via suppression and reappraisal' (2021).