The neurobiology of risk and pre-emptive interventions for anorexia nervosa.

TOPIC: The neurobiology of risk and pre-emptive interventions for anorexia nervosa.

PURPOSE: This article is based on a presentation at the March 2012 annual conference of the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses.

SOURCES: A review of literature and clinical practice experience.

CONCLUSIONS

Advances in genetics and neuroimaging provide evidence of a recognizable phenotype of traits and neuropsychological characteristics that precede symptom onset in children at risk for anorexia nervosa. Early recognition of the phenotype and experiences that can potentiate symptom expression provides the basis for pre-emptive interventions that may avert or delay the onset and reduce symptom severity.