Anorexia Symptoms Can Now Be Eased By Using Repetitive Transcranial Stimulation

Anorexia, one of the most difficult conditions to treat can now be cured by a therapy that is known to treat depression. The therapy could lessen the symptoms of anorexia from the sufferers around the world.

Researchers in the United Kingdom studied anorexia patients before and after conducting a repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) treatment. The therapy was originally made to treat depression, as reported by Morning Ticker.

The scientists focused the therapy to the parts of the brain that has connection to self-regulation difficulties often present to those who are suffering from anorexia. Magnetic pulses, which feel like a gentle tapping on the side of the head, were sent to targeted areas, changing the nerve cells behavior in the brain.

"With rTMS we targeted the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain thought to be involved in some of the self-regulation difficulties associated with anorexia," said Jessica McClelland, study's lead researcher from King's College.

The therapy decreased the patient's urge not to eat and the feelings of being fat with just one session. This success may lead to new treatments for what has been a tough psychological disorder to treat.

"We found that one session of rTMS reduced the urge to restrict food intake, levels of feeling full, and levels of feeling fat, as well as encouraging more prudent decision-making," said McClelland.

Professor Ulrike Schmidt, study's senior author from the IoPPN at King's College London said that women suffer from anorexia in four percent of their lifetime. Twenty percent of anorexia patients died prematurely from the condition, Maine News Online reported.

According to the research published in the journal PLOS One, the symptoms of anorexia, a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, includes urge not to eat certain foods, dramatic weight loss, feels overweight despite drastic weight loss, fear of gaining weight, avoiding friends and activities and denial of hunger.