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Neural Explanations: Anorexia Nervosa

Neural explanations for anorexia nervosa focus on areas of the brain and nervous system, and the action of neurotransmitters that might be responsible for anorexia. For example, research by Lipsman et al. (2015) found that dysfunction in the subcallosal cingulate and the insular cortex (parts of the limbic system in the brain) can lead to deficits in emotional processing, which may cause some of the pathological thoughts and behaviours shown by a person with anorexia nervosa. In terms of neurotransmitters, research by Kaye et al. (2005) has found overactivity in dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia to be linked to anorexia nervosa. Serotonin is another neurotransmitter implicated in anorexia nervosa, and it is believed that disruption of serotonin levels may lead to increased anxiety, which can then trigger the eating disorder.

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