Understanding the reward system functioning in anorexia nervosa: Crucial role of physical activity

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Katrin E. Giel ; Stephanie Kullmann ; Hubert Prei脽l ; Stephan C. Bischoff ; Ansgar Thiel ; Ulrike Schmidt ; Stephan Zipfel ; Martin Teufel
• 关键词：Anorexia nervosa ; Eating disorders ; Eye tracking ; Hyperactivity ; Physical activity ; Reward
• 刊名：Biological Psychology
• 出版年：December, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：94
• 期：3
• 页码：575-581
• 全文大小：668 K

文摘

Hyperactivity is a potential neurobiological marker and a core psychopathological trait in anorexia nervosa (AN). We investigated the processing of hyperactivity-related information in fifteen AN patients, 15 athletes and 15 non-athletes to examine if they represent disorder-related reward information using eye tracking. We assessed the extent of individually performed physical activity, mood, trait reward sensitivity and serum leptin levels. Results revealed a pronounced bias in overall attentional engagement toward stimuli associated with physical activity in patients and athletes as compared to non-athletes. In patients, relevant correlations were found: trait reward sensitivity and attentional orienting were strongly correlated and amount of physical activity correlated with attentional orienting and engagement. Compared to non-athletes, patients and athletes rated exercise stimuli as more pleasant. Findings suggest that exercise-related stimuli are perceived as rewarding by AN patients. Positive motivational valence of physical activity might contribute to disorder development and maintenance.