Neuropsychological Study of Underweight and 'Weight-Recovered' Anorexia Nervosa Compared with Bulimia Nervosa and Normal Controls

Abstract

Objective: To compare executive, memory and visuospatial functioning of DSM-IV anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and normal controls (NC). Method: A comparison of women involving: (i) 16 AN with body mass indices (BMI) 17.5 kg/m2; (ii) 12 AN with BMI[18.5 kg/m2 for at least 3 months; (iii) 13 BN; and (iv) 16 NC participants was performed with groups of similar age and intelligence. Groups were assessed with EDE-12, MADRS, HAMA, Cognitive Drug Research (CDR) battery, and Bechara tasks. Results: Significant impairments in CDR Power of Attention were present in underweight AN and BN participants. CDR Morse Tapping was significantly impaired in all clinical groups. The BN and weight-recovered AN groups were significantly impaired on CDR immediate word recall. The BN group alone was significantly impaired on CDR delayed word recall. Conclusion: Attentional impairment is similar in AN and BN. Impaired motor tasks in AN persist after ‘‘weight-recovery’’ and are similar to impairments in BN. BN may be discriminated from AN on word recall