Anorexia Breakthrough Gives Hope for an Rx

Brain chemistry holds key to disease, say researchers
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 29, 2009 9:23 AM CDT
Anorexia Breakthrough Gives Hope for an Rx
Brain chemistry plays a key role in anorexia, according to the latest findings.   (©CarbonNYC)

New research revealing brain differences in anorexics offers hope that drugs could one day soon effectively battle the disease, according to scientists. Some 70% of anorexics show signs of problems with neurotransmitters, which help brain cells communicate. The differences are believed to occur in the womb. The findings could "pave the way for the first drugs to treat eating disorders, similar to the way that anti-depressants help re-balance the brain of people with depression," a scientist told the Telegraph.

"We are learning more and more that some people are very vulnerable to anorexia" because of "genetic factors and brain chemistry, and not them trying to look like models or suffering a major traumatic event."
(More anorexia stories.)

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