A new study from Turku PET Centre in Finland suggests that changes in the functioning of opioid neurotransmitters in the brain could be a key factor in the development of anorexia nervosa. Researchers found that the brain's opioidergic tone was elevated in patients with anorexia compared to healthy individuals. This finding supports the idea that these molecules may play a role in regulating both appetite loss and increase.
A study conducted at Turku PET Centre in Finland showed that changes in the functioning of opioid neurotransmitters in the brain may underlie anorexia.
"Opioid neurotransmission regulates appetite and pleasure in the brain. In patients with anorexia nervosa, the brain's opioidergic tone was elevated in comparison with healthy control subjects. Previously we have shown that in obese patients the activity of the tone of this system is lowered. It is likely that the actions of these molecules regulate both the loss and increase in appetite," says Professor Pirjo Nuutila from the University of Turku, Finland.
"The brains of patients with anorexia nervosa used a similar amount of glucose as the brains of the healthy control subjects. Although being underweight burdens physiology in many ways, the brain tries to protect itself and maintain its ability to function for as long as possible," says Professor Lauri Nummenmaa from Turku PET Centre and continues:
The study was carried out in collaboration with the Turku University Hospital and Pusan National University in South Korea. The brains of patients with anorexia nervosa and the healthy control subjects were imaged using positron emission tomography at Turku PET Centre.Kyoungjune Pak, Jouni Tuisku, Henry K. Karlsson, Jussi Hirvonen, Eleni Rebelos, Laura Pekkarinen, Lihua Sun, Aino Latva-Rasku, Semi Helin, Johan Rajander, Max Karukivi, Pirjo Nuutila, Lauri Nummenmaa.
ANOREXIA NEUROTRANSMITTERS OPIOIDS BRAIN FUNCTION MENTAL HEALTH
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