Researchers at the Center for Sleep and Wake Disorders are studying a baffling eating disorder called "sleep-eating." Much like sleep-walking, sleep-eating sufferers are alert enough to respond to questions but are not aware that they binge-eat while asleep.

"During testing, researchers found one woman munching on brownies in her sleep. After each bite, she used her pinky to shove any remaining bits in her mouth... Another woman captured on tape gulped a soda after eating in her sleep."

Sleep experts believe sleep-eating is caused by a problem with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls "basic behaviors." Read more at NewsNet5.com.

Labels: binge_eating, brain_chemistry, sleep

Dr. Bomin Sun of the Center of Functional Neurosurgery in China has released the results of study in which brain stimulation was used to treat patients with advanced forms of anorexia. The treatment - called Deep Brain Modulation, is performed by implanting small electrodes onto a specific part of the brain, which is then electrically stimulated.

"Anorexia nervosa is a complex condition, involving sociological, neurobiological and psychological components,' said Dr. Sun. ‘This DBS treatment is very promising in that all patients had an improvement in eating behavior, psychiatric symptoms, or a combination of both."

Some side effects were documented in patients that had another surgical treatment, in addition to the DBS. There were, however, no side effects recorded in those who had the DBS treatment only.

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Labels: brain_chemistry, therapy, treatment

A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh has found that people with a history of anorexia have vastly different brain activity than those who never suffered from the disorder. The results appear in the American Journal of Psychiatry, and the study's authors hope the findings will help in the development of more effective treatments.

"While the brain region for emotional responses - the anterior ventral striatum - showed strong differences... in the healthy women, women with a past history of anorexia showed little difference."

In addition, the part of the brain that's associated with outcome and planning was much more active in women who'd had anorexia. An eating disorder association spokeswoman said this study shows that eating disorders are much more than just a 'silly diet gone wrong.'

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Labels: brain_chemistry, research, treatment

When someone can't control a craving for alcohol or drugs, it's called "addiction". Could these same physiological forces be at work in someone who has uncontrollable food cravings? Some scientists are beginning to wonder.

"'Are there certain things in food that act on the brain and set up a classic addictive process, like tolerance, withdrawal and craving?', asks psychologist Kelly Brownell, who organized a recent scientific meeting on food addiction at Yale University. While the research is still scanty, the evidence that exists 'is extremely interesting and provocative, and suggests to me that something is there,' Brownell says."

Though there is still much research to be done, scientists are unsure what to do if they find evidence for food addictions. Someone who's addicted to drugs or alcohol simply stops consuming them, but someone who's addicted to food can't simply stop eating. Read more at WashingtonPost.com.

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Labels: addiction, brain_chemistry, research