Troubles du comportement alimentaire : à la recherche du support neurohormonal d'une toxicomanie singulière

Anorexia nervosa is a condition caracterized by a relentless preoccupation with dieting and weight loss that results in severe emaciation and can lead to death. Although the origin of anorexia nervosa remains obscure, symptoms are related to the convergence of environmental and psychosocial influences on genetically sensitive individuals. Recent brain-imaging techniques are providing new insights into limbic and cognitive neural circuits dysfunctions affecting anorexic patients and the role of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. The implications of the 5HT4 serotoninergic receptor point to common neuronal pathways between addictive disorders and eating disorders. These alterations in cerebral activity permit to better understand the puzzling symptoms found in anorexia nervosa and raise the question : Is anorexia nervosa a peculiar form of addiction?