Pilot study: is the fear response the same in anorexia nervosa as in controls?

PURPOSE: To determine whether the fear response is the same in AN as in controls.

METHOD: We recorded the EEG in 10 participants with a history of AN and in 10 controls during a fear stimulus. The response of the brain was recorded using EEG LORETA. The recording was analyzed for a marked increase in activity in the amygdala, uncus, insula, and anterior cingulate from 300 to 500 ms following the stimulus.

RESULTS

The order or response of the amygdala, uncus, insula, and anterior cingulate was not significantly different in AN and controls.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the brain's response to a fear stimulus is not significantly different in AN and controls.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, case-control study.