Evaluation of Serotonin and AN

Question 1

+ Bailer et al.

Answer 1

Bailer found increased serotonin levels in the brains of recovered AN patients, which was strongly related to anxiety. Both anxiety and increased serotonin levels persisted even a year following recovery - suggests increased serotonin levels leads to anxiety, resulting in lower eating levels to produce less tryptophan, validating the theory

Question 2

+ Brain scans

Answer 2

Much to the research into the effect of neurotransmitters on AN is conducted using brain scans - validated by empirical, scientific evidence

Question 3

+ Less stigma and blame

Answer 3

It has been suggested that if AN is seen as having a biological cause then there will be less stigma attached and less blame - biological explanation has positive social effects and helps to establish treatments, as well as making sufferers more willing to take them

Question 4

• Hormones

Answer 4

Hormones in the brain, in addition to neurotransmitters, have also been linked to eating disorders. Stress triggers the production and release of cortisol; chronically elevated cortisol levels have been observed in patients with both AN and bulimia. Cortisol also inhibits the release of a powerful appetite stimulant, decreasing appetite - suggests that neurotransmitters alone cannot explain AN, as hormones also play a role in anorexia

Question 5

• Hsu

Answer 5

Hsu has pointed out that there is not yet sufficient evidence to indicate whether change in neurotransmitter levels are a cause of AN, an effect, or merely correlate - suggests that it is hard to establish cause and effect, lacking valid evidence