Neurobiological Factors

Neurobiological Factors

Anorexia nervosa has been particularly linked to a disturbed or altered serotonin system. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that affects how messages are sent from the brain to the body and may also influence a person feeling's. High levels of serotonin in areas in the brain with the 5HT1A receptor have been associated with anxiety and mood control. Starvation might be a natural body response to reduce tryptophan and steroid hormone metabolism, which might be in turn responsible for reducing serotonin levels. It is believed that reduced serotonin levels help in controlling anxiety though it is only a hypothesis. However, at the 5HT2A receptor the serotonin activity has been found to be reduced. According to some studies a dysfunction in part of the brain called hypothalamus may also have a role to play in this disorder. The root cause of anorexia nervosa has not been established and a clear picture will emerge only when new technologies enable scientists and doctors to better understand the functioning of different areas in the human brain.