Low baseline startle in anorexia nervosa patients

This study examined baseline startle magnitude, using eye blink response and skin conductance response in anorexia nervosa patients.Twenty female in-patients with anorexia nervosa and an equal number of female healthy controls were tested. Baseline startle response was assessed during blank screens while four startling loud sounds (a 116 dB, 1 s, 250 Hz tone) were delivered with a time interval ranging from 35 to 55 s. It was investigated if BMI and state anxiety correlated with physiological responses.The clinical sample showed a lower baseline startle reflex measured with both indices, than healthy controls.Across the whole sample, a single regression model partially explained the relationship between BMI and baseline skin conductance response.

► We examined baseline startle magnitude, using EBR and SCR in AN patients.
► AN patients showed lower baseline startle reflex measured with both indices.
► SCR showed a positive correlation with BMI.