| Many studies have been conducted on the effects of | | | | experienced the eating disorder of bulimia. |
| bulimia on the human brain. In addition to this, there | | | | The Results |
| have been medical studies conducted on how the | | | | Once the scanning health checks were conducted, the |
| brain reacts as time progresses in the bulimic. It has | | | | researchers and medical professionals on the team |
| been established that those that suffer from bulimia | | | | that was conducting the study were quite impressed |
| have distinct differences in their brains. | | | | with their findings. The females that had suffered from |
| This is especially true when the focus is placed on the | | | | bulimia in their lifetime showed a marked reduction in |
| brain's ability to regulate the hormone that has a direct | | | | the task of binding receptors to the various regions of |
| impact on the overall appetite of an individual, as well | | | | the brain. |
| as their overall mood. Basically, this could indicate that | | | | The chemical directly responsible for this particular task |
| there are many people that may have a natural | | | | is serotonin. As the studies developed, there was |
| susceptibility to developing an eating disorder - | | | | another interesting fact noted. The ones that suffered |
| specifically bulimia. | | | | from bulimia did not seem to experience the natural |
| The Health Checks | | | | reduction in serotonin in the brain that is found to occur |
| The study that brought about the opinion that bulimia | | | | in all instances of the aging process. |
| could be a direct result of a genetic susceptibility | | | | This was particularly interesting as the subjects that |
| involved a total of nine females that had successfully | | | | never suffered from the eating disorder were found to |
| recovered from the eating disorder. These women all | | | | have relatively healthy serotonin levels and the |
| struggled with binges, purging the food that they ate | | | | chemical seemed to be performing on task in those |
| from their systems, and all agreed that the image that | | | | test subjects. |
| they had of themselves were highly distorted. These | | | | Serotonin |
| women also agreed that while experiencing bulimia | | | | While it may seem particularly insignificant, serotonin is |
| firsthand, they often experienced mood complications | | | | actually a very important chemical in the brain. It is |
| such as anxiety, high irritation levels, and moderate to | | | | directly responsible for regulating several different |
| severe depression. | | | | aspects of who we are as people. This includes the |
| A special type of scanning instrument was used to | | | | following: |
| evaluate the brains of the women in the case study. | | | | The mood |
| This imaging device is referred to as a "PET" scan. | | | | The Appetite |
| PET stands for "Positron Emission Tomography". In | | | | The Ability to Control Impulses |
| addition to those involved in the study, another | | | | While many professionals will agree that the effect of |
| assortment of twelve females were brought into the | | | | serotonin in the studies could be a result of the |
| case study. | | | | malnutrition and other physical effects often |
| These women did not suffer from an eating disorder in | | | | associated with bulimia, the researchers on this |
| the past or at the time that they were scanned. The | | | | particular study feel as if this could be a reason that |
| point was to compare the brains of the females that | | | | the eating disorder starts in susceptible individuals. |
| once suffered to the brains of those that have not | | | | |