Composantes neurosensorielles et hormonales dans l’anorexie mentale

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is often considered a multifactorial illness of unknown pathophysiology. Family and twin studies have consistently demonstrated that AN is strongly related to genetic factors. The probability of some genetic origin is 92%, genetic factors explaining around 20% of the variance. It must be remembered that 95% of the AN patients were girls or women, suggesting a role for gonadal hormonal systems and their effects on the brain and on cognitive functions. Most studies focused on the serotonin system, but other candidate genes have been suggested. At the present time, we have no evidence that women who develop AN have an adipose, metabolic, gonadal, pituitary, hypothalamic or some other dysfunctions that predispose them for the illness. It is suggested on the contrary that the symptoms of AN are physiological responses to starvation or to the response to altered body image and self-satisfaction. If this eating disorder is related to the fear of the alimentary desire of the patients, it will be easy to understand the plasma level of adiponectin, ghrelin and better understand a role for the low leptin level in the enhanced hunger. If we remember that almost 60% of these patients are engaged in a physical and mental hyperactivity, the abnormality in plasma level of cortisol, ACTH, and CRH. The decease in fat mass could explain why leptin level was low and low leptin level may explain the amenorrhea and the fall in LH, FSH, and LH–RH secretion. Moreover, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders and physical hyperactivity may be three interrelated factors, which could be related to serotonin and dopamine systems and in turn inhibit food intake.