The Effects of Irregular Ghrelin, Leptin, and Dopamine Levels on the Development of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a debilitating and ubiquitous eating disorder characterized by fear of weight gain, an obsession with dieting, and generalized anhedonia, a lack of pleasure. While relatively understudied, ghrelin and leptin are two hormones that have been shown to directly relate to dysfunctional dietary habits that facilitate and sustain anorectic behaviors. These hormones regulate hunger and satiety signals, respectively, in the stomach and brain. In addition to deep brain stimulation, several pharmacological approaches to treating AN have been investigated. While none of these methods have been proven 100% effective, perhaps with the establishment of new scientific findings on endocrine hormones and their role in facilitating AN, physicians will be able to adequately diagnose and determine the right treatment course in the future