Biological Explanations Of Anorexia Nervosa

Question 1

Outline and evaluate the biological explanation for anorexia Nervosa (16)

-subtitles ONLY

Answer 1

1) intro
2) genetic explanation
a) family studies
b) twin studies + fairburn eval
c) adoption studies

2) eval: - ignore role of media (bulik)
- application : implication for insurance payouts

3) neural explanation:
a) seretonin + eval
b) dopamine + eval
C) lymbic system

5) evaluation : +ve of bio is reduces stigma of it being their fault
- ve : ignores situation factors dis thesis stress model bullying

Question 2

1) intro

Answer 2

Anorexia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder which causes fear of obesity and extreme weight loss

One explanation is the biological explanation which states that it is the result of genetic and neural complications.

Question 3

2) genetic explanations of AN

Answer 3

the CGAS Gene and the EPHX2 gene are linked

a) family studies : an runs in families, 1st degree relatives are 10x more likely to suffer. Research also suggested they’re more likely to get other eating disorders
B) twin studies: suggests moderate-high heritability. Thornton+Thornton found 28%-74% estimates. Wade et al interviewed girls in Australia and found 58%. However, these are all too inconsistent. Fairburn et al found heritability is unknown due to ranging %
C) adoption studies : reduce risk of confusing similar environments and genetic cause by studying biological relatives who share differing environments, Klump found a heritability rate of 59-82% remaining % environment

Question 4

3) evaluation

Answer 4

• Ignores role of media, media idealisation of thin body has been shown to cause anorexia (Bulik)
• application: applied to insurance payouts. In US, government does not recognise it to have a biological cause so therefore it doesn’t come under insurance companies “essential health benefits” 2014: eating disorder coalition unsuccessfully tried to make it one

Question 5

4) neural: seretonin

Answer 5

a) seretonin: higher levels of 5-HIAA IN individuals recovering from AN. However, also lower 5hT2 receptors which contradicts this. BAILER et al. Measured seretonin in purgin and restrictive women and compared with control. Higher seretonin in purging ones (highest seretonin- highest anxiety in those ppl)
EVAL: however, SSRIS don’t work on AN patients. However, Kaye et al found drugs helped prevent relapse.

Question 6

5) final eval points

Answer 6

• biological gets rid of stigma blaming patient

- ignores role of bullying and situational factors

Question 7

4.5) neural : dopamine

Answer 7

b) dopamine= Kaye et al used PET SCAN and compared results of t10 control and 10 recovering from AN. FOUND OVERACTIVITY IN basal gangli (where dopamine helps pleasure or pain, so might not be able to associate good foods with pleasure)
EVAL: support: food aversion weight loss etc linked to increased activity of dopamine pathways. Increased eye blinking in individuals with AN, increased blink= increased dopamine
c) dysfunctional limbic system also linked

Question 8

4.5) neural : dopamine

Answer 8

b) dopamine= Kaye et al used PET SCAN and compared results of t10 control and 10 recovering from AN. FOUND OVERACTIVITY IN basal gangli (where dopamine helps pleasure or pain, so might not be able to associate good foods with pleasure)
EVAL: support: food aversion weight loss etc linked to increased activity of dopamine pathways. Increased eye blinking in individuals with AN, increased blink= increased dopamine
c) dysfunctional limbic system also linked

Question 10

What are the clinical characteristics of anorexia Nervosa ? (3)

Answer 10

Clinical characteristics:
A) persistent restriction of energy intake (tends to lead to weight loss)
B) either fear of gaining weight or persistent behaviour to prevent it
C) disturbance in body image perception

Question 10

What are 2 types of AN

Answer 10

Restricting (food is restricted)

Purge(they purge ways to get rid of fat such as laxatives or exercise)