BACKGROUND: A link between abnormalities in circadian rhythms and the development of eating disorders was extensively hypothesized, mainly in consideration of the influence of the circadian clock on eating behavior. The present review is aimed at summarizing the evidence about biological rhythms disruptions in eating disorders, possibly clarifying their impact on the psychopathological profile of such patients. METHODS: Electronic database MEDLINE/PubMed/Index Medicus was systematically searched for original articles examining the prevalence of circadian rhythms disruptions in eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder). RESULTS: Studies included in the review confirmed the hypothesis of a high prevalence of circadian disruptions in eating disorders. The analyzed research mainly focused on sleep-wake cycle, rest-activity abnormalities and hormonal secretion, whilst literature about other circadian rhythms was scanty. Altered biological rhythms presented higher association with specific psychopathological features, but such relationship was assessed in few studies. CONCLUSIONS: Circadian rhythms disruptions were confirmed to be relevant aspects in the context of eating disorders. Further research is needed in order to clarify the role of biological rhythms in such illnesses, in the attempt to address adjunctive treatment strategies with the possible focus of circadian abnormalities.
BACKGROUND: A link between abnormalities in circadian rhythms and the development of eating disorders was extensively hypothesized, mainly in consideration of the influence of the circadian clock on eating behavior. The present review is aimed at summarizing the evidence about biological rhythms disruptions in eating disorders, possibly clarifying their impact on the psychopathological profile of such patients. METHODS: Electronic database MEDLINE/PubMed/Index Medicus was systematically searched for original articles examining the prevalence of circadian rhythms disruptions in eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder). RESULTS: Studies included in the review confirmed the hypothesis of a high prevalence of circadian disruptions in eating disorders. The analyzed research mainly focused on sleep-wake cycle, rest-activity abnormalities and hormonal secretion, whilst literature about other circadian rhythms was scanty. Altered biological rhythms presented higher association with specific psychopathological features, but such relationship was assessed in few studies. CONCLUSIONS: Circadian rhythms disruptions were confirmed to be relevant aspects in the context of eating disorders. Further research is needed in order to clarify the role of biological rhythms in such illnesses, in the attempt to address adjunctive treatment strategies with the possible focus of circadian abnormalities.
Authors: Jeff A Beeler; Devry Mourra; Roseanna M Zanca; Abigail Kalmbach; Celia Gellman; Benjamin Y Klein; Rebecca Ravenelle; Peter Serrano; Holly Moore; Stephen Rayport; Susana Mingote; Nesha S Burghardt Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2020-07-16 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Laura Palagini; Raffaele Manni; Eugenio Aguglia; Mario Amore; Roberto Brugnoli; Stéphanie Bioulac; Patrice Bourgin; Jean-Arthur Micoulaud Franchi; Paolo Girardi; Luigi Grassi; Régis Lopez; Claudio Mencacci; Giuseppe Plazzi; Julia Maruani; Antonino Minervino; Pierre Philip; Sylvie Royant Parola; Isabelle Poirot; Lino Nobili; Giovanni Biggio; Carmen M Schroder; Pierre A Geoffroy Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2021-06-10 Impact factor: 4.157