Neuropsychological functioning in adult anorexia nervosa: A meta-analysis

[摘要] Several studies have conceptualized neuropsychological dysfunction as part of the core pathology and defining behaviors seen in the eating disorder anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the current review was to synthesize the differences in neuropsychological test performance between individuals with AN and healthy controls, quantify and explain their heterogeneity. The search and screening procedures resulted in fifty studies that comprised 186 neuropsychological test results. Utilizing random-effects meta-analyses, the results revealed evidence for significant, moderate underperformance in people with AN in overall neuropsychological functioning ((g) over bar = -0.43, 95 % CI [-0.50, -0.36]). Weighted mean effect sizes ranged from (g) over bar = -0.53 for visuospatial abilities to (g) over bar = -0.10 for planning. Study and participant characteristics, including body mass index (BMI) and age, had significant moderator effects, especially on executive function, memory, and visuospatial abilities. The findings from the current study provide an extensive and comprehensive overview of the possible impairments in neuropsychological functioning in adult patients diagnosed with AN.

[发布日期] 2021-11-01

[关键词] Anorexia nervosa;Neuropsychological function;Eating disorder;Meta-analysis