The Neurobiology of Anorexia Nervosa

The memory of us in my original family celebrating when my older sister, several years after her weight recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN), finally felt hunger again has been my guiding star and motivator during my years in research on the neurobiology of AN. How come that individuals with AN stay in negative energy balance, severely emaciated and starved, commonly for years, despite that the human body and brain in order to ensure our survival, have developed intricate systems to prevent exactly this. At the same time others struggle to lose weight their whole life.

Based on our own and others previous results we propose that genetic vulnerability to anorexia nervosa (AN) combined with environmental triggers of dieting/food restriction, induce changes in arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Arc) neurons, and their communication with surrounding microglia, resulting in a paradoxical response to negative energy balance. 

We utilise clinical samples, as well as preclinical- and stem cell based models, and medical registries, in order to define the neuronal circuitries and molecular mechanisms involved in the negative energy balance of AN. We believe that we by defining these mechanisms can contribute to the development of pharmaceuticals supporting renourishment and weight gain in the very critical initial phase of treatment of individuals with AN.

We collaborate with Centre for Eating Disorders Innovation (CEDI) at MEB, KI.