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Mood- and restraint-based antecedents to binge episodes in bulimia nervosa: possible influences of the serotonin system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2005

HOWARD STEIGER ,
LISE GAUVIN ,
MARLA J. ENGELBERG ,
N. M. K. NG YING KIN ,
MIMI ISRAEL ,
STEPHEN A. WONDERLICH  and
JODIE RICHARDSON
HOWARD STEIGER
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Program, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Psychiatry Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
LISE GAUVIN
Affiliation:
Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, GRIS (Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé – Interdisciplinary Research Group on Health), University of Montreal & The Léa-Roback Research Center on Social Inequalities of Health in Montreal, ND, USA
MARLA J. ENGELBERG
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
N. M. K. NG YING KIN
Affiliation:
Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Psychiatry Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
MIMI ISRAEL
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Program, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Psychiatry Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
STEPHEN A. WONDERLICH
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroscience, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, ND, USA
JODIE RICHARDSON
Affiliation:
Eating Disorders Program, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Research Centre, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, Quebec Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
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Abstract

Background. In bulimic syndromes, binge episodes are thought to be caused by dietary restraint and negative moods. However, as central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) mechanisms regulate appetite and mood, the 5-HT system could be implicated in diet- and mood-based binge antecedents.

Method. We used hand-held computers to obtain repeated ‘online’ measurements of eating behaviors, moods, and self-concepts in 21 women with bulimic syndromes, and modeled 5-HT system activity with a measure of platelet [3H]paroxetine-binding density.

Results. Mood and self-concept ratings were found to be worse before binge episodes (than at other moments), and cognitive restraint was increased. After binges, mood and self-concept deteriorated further, and thoughts of dieting became more intense. Intriguingly, lower paroxetine-binding density predicted poorer mood and self-concept before a binge, larger post-binge decrements in mood and self-concept, and larger post-binge increases in dietary restraint.

Conclusions. Paroxetine binding thus seemed to reflect processes that impacted upon mood-related antecedents to binge episodes, and consequences implicating mood and dietary restraint.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 35 , Issue 11 , November 2005 , pp. 1553 - 1562
Copyright
2005 Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Preliminary results from this study were presented at the annual Academy for Eating Disorders International Conference on Eating Disorders, Orlando, Florida, 2 May 2004.