1
|
Gray IE, Enticott PG, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Kirkovski M. Cognitive and emotional empathy in acute and remitted anorexia nervosa: a systematic review. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1385185. [PMID: 38855647 PMCID: PMC11157095 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1385185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Impairments in empathy are well established in anorexia nervosa (AN). It is unclear, however, whether these deficits only occur in the acute phases of AN due to neurocognitive impacts of starvation (often referred to as context-dependent, or state-like), or if deficits remain once remission has been achieved (trait-like). This debate is commonly referred to as the 'state vs trait' debate. Objective This systematic review aims to summarise existing literature regarding empathy in AN, and to investigate whether empathy deficits in AN are state- or trait-based. Method A total of 1014 articles were identified, and seven articles remained after the screening process. These seven articles, comparing empathy across three groups (acute AN, remission of AN, and non-clinical controls), were evaluated and summarised in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Articles were required to have included all three groups and report on either cognitive empathy and/or emotional empathy. Results The majority of studies were of satisfactory quality. The results identified were inconsistent, with few articles lending some support to the 'state' hypothesis and others producing nonsignificant results. Conclusions There is minimal literature comparing empathy in acute and remission phases of AN. While there were some inconsistencies in included articles, some data indicate that there may be slight improvements to emotional and cognitive empathy following recovery of AN. Further research is needed to better enrich knowledge regarding the role of state vs trait with regard to neurocognitive difficulties experienced by individuals with AN. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=335669, identifier CRD42022335669.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indigo E. Gray
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | - Melissa Kirkovski
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sfärlea A, Buhl C, Lukas L, Schulte-Körne G. Superior facial emotion recognition in adolescents with anorexia nervosa - A replication study. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2024. [PMID: 38733271 DOI: 10.1002/erv.3103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with alterations in the processing of socio-emotional information, including impairments in the recognition of emotions in other people's faces. However, adolescents with AN might not show the impairments found in adult patients. The present study investigated facial emotion recognition in adolescents with AN, aiming to replicate our previous results of superior emotion recognition abilities in adolescents with AN compared to adolescents without mental disorders. METHOD Adolescent girls (12-18 years) with AN (n = 33) were compared to girls without mental disorders (n = 41). Participants completed one task requiring identification of emotions (happy, sad, afraid, angry, neutral) in faces and one control task. RESULTS As expected, adolescents with AN showed superior emotion recognition, with higher accuracy rates specifically for afraid faces. CONCLUSION This is the first study replicating previous results on basic emotion recognition in adolescents with AN using (almost) the same methodology. The results suggest that, in contrast to adults, adolescents with AN do not show impairments in facial emotion recognition. The impairments may arise in the longer course of the illness, however, longitudinal studies are necessary to confirm this assumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Sfärlea
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Buhl
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Linda Lukas
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Gerd Schulte-Körne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Bradley S, Moore F, Duffy F, Clark L, Suratwala T, Knightsmith P, Gillespie-Smith K. Camouflaging, not sensory processing or autistic identity, predicts eating disorder symptoms in autistic adults. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241245749. [PMID: 38634458 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241245749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT This study aimed to explore the impact of Autistic identity (i.e. feeling like you belong to the Autistic community), sensory profiles (e.g. being over or under responsive to sensations) and camouflaging behaviours (i.e. masking) on eating disorder symptoms in Autistic adults. 180 Autistic people were recruited from the community and NHS. The Autistic people completed online questionnaires measuring Autistic identity, sensory profiles, camouflaging behaviours, autistic traits and eating disorder symptoms. The analysis showed that higher levels of camouflaging behaviour predicted higher levels of eating disorder symptoms. Sensory profiles were related to but did not predict eating disorder symptoms and there was no relationship between level of Autistic identity and eating disorder symptoms. This shows that camouflaging is the most important predictor of eating disorder symptoms in Autistic people, and warrants further exploration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fiona Duffy
- The University of Edinburgh, UK
- NHS Lothian, UK
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nuyttens M, Simons A, Antrop I, Glazemakers I. A longitudinal study of autism spectrum disorder characteristics in adolescents with restrictive type anorexia nervosa during and after underweight. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2024; 32:310-321. [PMID: 37898973 DOI: 10.1002/erv.3042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This prospective, longitudinal study aims to compare the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) characteristics in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) during and after underweight in order to help unravel the complex link between both conditions. METHODS 24 adolescents with AN completed the youth self-report, autism spectrum quotient (AQ) or autism spectrum quotient adolescent version (AQ - adolescent) and a questionnaire designed by the researchers during a state of underweight and after weight recovery. RESULTS AQ total score and several AQ subscale scores at the time of underweight are significantly higher than after weight recovery with medium to large effect sizes. Linear modelling cannot prove a significant effect of weight gain, internalizing problems or medication use on AQ score, but it does show an association between AQ during underweight and AQ after weight recovery. CONCLUSIONS The results highlight the complexity of the link between AN and ASD characteristics. Although a clear change in AQ score is seen in part of the participants, this effect cannot be generalized and a link with weight change cannot be demonstrated. It seems likely that ASD characteristics in AN are a combination of trait and state: underweight and starvation might exacerbate potentially present traits. Part of our results may indicate the existence of subgroups based on AQ score during underweight. Our study supports the theory that more ASD characteristics at T1 may result in a poorer outcome and a higher need for specified and intensive treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke Nuyttens
- Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annik Simons
- Department for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Inge Antrop
- Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Glazemakers
- Antwerp University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hjerresen TS, Bentz M, Nejad AB, Raffin E, Andersen KW, Hulme OJ, Siebner HR, Plessen KJ. Performing well but not appreciating it - A trait feature of anorexia nervosa. JCPP ADVANCES 2024; 4:e12194. [PMID: 38486955 PMCID: PMC10933629 DOI: 10.1002/jcv2.12194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Despite advances in the etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN), a large subgroup of individuals does not profit optimally from treatment. Perfectionism has been found to be a risk factor predicting the onset, severity, and duration of AN episodes. To date, perfectionism has been studied predominantly by the use of self-report questionnaires, a useful approach that may, however, be impacted by demand characteristics, or other distortions of introspective or metacognitive access. Methods Here we circumvent these problems via a behavioral paradigm in which participants perform a modified Go/NoGo task, whilst self-evaluating their performance. We compared a group of 33 adolescent females during their first episode of AN (age = 16.0) with 29 female controls (age = 16.2), and 23 adolescent girls recovered from AN (age = 18.3) with 23 female controls (age = 18.5). The controls were closely matched by intelligence quotient and age to the two clinical groups. Results First-episode AN and control participants performed equally well on the task (reaction time and errors of commission), whereas the recovered group displayed significantly faster reaction times but incurred the same error rate. Despite performing at least as good as and predominantly better than control groups, both clinical groups evaluated their performances more negatively than controls. Conclusion We offer a novel behavioral method for measuring perfectionism independent of self-report, and we provide tentative evidence that this behavioral manifestation of perfectionism is evident during first-episode AN and persists even after recovery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tine Schuppli Hjerresen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Mental Health Services CPHCopenhagenDenmark
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Amager and HvidovreCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Mental Health Services CPHCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Estelle Raffin
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Amager and HvidovreCopenhagenDenmark
- Defitech Chair of Clinical NeuroengineeringNeuro‐X Institute and Brain Mind Institute (BMI)Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)GenevaSwitzerland
| | - Kasper Winther Andersen
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Amager and HvidovreCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Oliver James Hulme
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Amager and HvidovreCopenhagenDenmark
- London Mathematical LaboratoryLondonUK
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Hartwig Roman Siebner
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic ResonanceCentre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and ResearchCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Amager and HvidovreCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical MedicineFaculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of NeurologyCopenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg and FrederiksbergCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterCopenhagen University Hospital ‐ Mental Health Services CPHCopenhagenDenmark
- Division of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryDepartment of PsychiatryUniversity Hospital LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gajperia C, McBride J, Treasure J, Cardi V, Brewer R. Recognition of others' interoceptive states in those with and without eating disorders. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:169. [PMID: 38418990 PMCID: PMC10900571 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05615-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to recognize one's own emotions is associated with one's ability to recognize others' emotions. Beyond the domain of emotion, however, the relationship between recognition of one's own internal states (interoception) and others' interoceptive states has not been investigated, either in the typical population or clinical groups with interoceptive difficulties (e.g. eating disorders; EDs). METHOD This study investigated recognition of one's own and others' internal states in adults with and without eating disorders, using a high frequency visual noise paradigm. Participants completed self-report measures of interoception, alexithymia (difficulties recognising one's own emotional internal states) and ED symptomatology, and the Heartbeat Counting Task measure of cardiac interoceptive accuracy. RESULTS Alexithymia was significantly negatively correlated with recognition of others' interoceptive states. EDs were not associated with difficulties recognising others' interoceptive states. CONCLUSIONS The ability to recognise one's own emotional internal states is associated with the recognition of others' interoceptive states, which may contribute to social skills and the ability to care for others.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Gajperia
- Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, London, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Jennifer McBride
- Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, London, TW20 0EX, UK
| | | | - Valentina Cardi
- King's College London, London, UK
- University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rebecca Brewer
- Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, London, TW20 0EX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nimbley E, Gillespie-Smith K, Duffy F, Maloney E, Ballantyne C, Sharpe H. "It's not about wanting to be thin or look small, it's about the way it feels": an IPA analysis of social and sensory differences in autistic and non-autistic individuals with anorexia and their parents. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:89. [PMID: 37277884 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00813-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increasing evidence to support an overlap between autism and anorexia nervosa (AN), underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Social and sensory factors have emerged as promising targets in both autism and AN, however there remains scope to compare these differences across autistic and non-autistic experiences of AN. Drawing on dyadic multi-perspectives, this study explored experiences of social and sensory differences in autistic and non-autistic adults and their parents and/or carers. METHODS Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), dyadic interviews were conducted with 14 dyads, with seven autistic dyads and seven non-autistic dyads. Data analysis was subjected to a triangulation of interpretations: (1) the participants themselves; (2) a neurotypical researcher; (3) and an Autistic researcher with lived/living experience of AN. RESULTS IPA identified three themes in each group, with similarities and differences between autistic and non-autistic dyads. Similar themes were identified regarding the importance of social connectedness and socio-emotional difficulties, as well a common lack of trust in the social and sensory self and body. Autism-specific themes centred on feelings of social 'defectiveness', disparities between sensing and expressing certain cues, and lifelong, multi-sensory processing differences. Non-autistic themes reflected social comparisons and inadequacy, and sensitivities to the learning of ideals and behaviour through early experiences. CONCLUSIONS While similarities were observed across both groups, there appeared to be notable differences in the perceived role and influence of social and sensory differences. These findings may have important implications on the delivery and modification of eating disorder interventions. Specifically, they suggest that while treatment targets may look similar, subtle differences in underlying mechanisms and approaches may be required for Autistic individuals with AN across sensory, emotion and communication-based interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emy Nimbley
- Department of Clinical Psychology in the School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Elsie Inglis Quadrangle, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK.
| | - Karri Gillespie-Smith
- Department of Clinical Psychology in the School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Elsie Inglis Quadrangle, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK
| | - Fiona Duffy
- Department of Clinical Psychology in the School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Elsie Inglis Quadrangle, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK
- NHS Lothian Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Ellen Maloney
- School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Carrie Ballantyne
- School of Education and Social Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, UK
| | - Helen Sharpe
- Department of Clinical Psychology in the School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Old Medical School, Elsie Inglis Quadrangle, Teviot Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AG, Scotland, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kenny TE, Lewis SP. More than an outcome: a person-centered, ecological framework for eating disorder recovery. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:45. [PMID: 36949489 PMCID: PMC10032254 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00768-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating disorder recovery is a complex phenomenon. While historical understandings focused on weight and behaviours, the importance of psychological factors is now widely recognized. It is also generally accepted that recovery is a non-linear process and is impacted by external factors. Recent research suggests a significant impact of systems of oppression, though these have not yet been named in models of recovery. BODY: In this paper, we propose a research-informed, person-centered, and ecological framework of recovery. We suggest that there are two foundational tenets of recovery which apply broadly across experiences: recovery is non-linear and ongoing and there is no one way to do recovery. In the context of these tenets, our framework considers individual changes in recovery as determined by and dependent on external/personal factors and broader systems of privilege. Recovery cannot be determined by looking solely at an individual's level of functioning; one must also consider the broader context of their life in which changes are being made. To conclude, we describe the applicability of the proposed framework and offer practical considerations for incorporating this framework in research, clinical, and advocacy settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Therese E Kenny
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | - Stephen P Lewis
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road E., Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kerr-Gaffney J, Jones E, Mason L, Hayward H, Murphy D, Loth E, Tchanturia K. Social attention in anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder: Role of social motivation. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2022; 26:1641-1655. [PMID: 34845940 PMCID: PMC9483678 DOI: 10.1177/13623613211060593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Research suggests a relationship between autism and anorexia nervosa. For example, rigid and inflexible behaviour, a preference for routine and social difficulties are seen in both conditions. In this study, we examined whether people with anorexia and people with autism show similarities in social attention (where they look while engaging in social interactions or watching a scene with people interacting). This could help us understand why people with anorexia and autism experience difficulties in social situations. Participants with either anorexia or autism, as well as participants with no mental health problems watched a video of a social scene while we recorded which parts of the scene they looked at with an eye-tracker. Participants also completed questionnaires to assess characteristics of autism. We found that autistic participants looked at faces less than typically developing participants. However, participants with anorexia did not show a similar reduction in attention to faces, contrary to our predictions. Autistic features were not related to attention in either group. The results suggest that autistic people may miss important social cues (like facial expressions), potentially contributing to social difficulties. However, this mechanism does not appear explain social difficulties in people with anorexia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kate Tchanturia
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS
Trust, UK
- Ilia State University,
Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Affective cognition in eating disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance on the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" Test. Eat Weight Disord 2022; 27:2291-2307. [PMID: 35384555 PMCID: PMC9556412 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-022-01393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) is listed in the National Institute of Mental Health's Research Domain Criteria as a tool apt to measure the understanding of others' mental states. People diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed poorer performances on the RMET than healthy controls. Less data are available concerning other eating disorders. METHODS Systematic review of four major databases from inception to July 15, 2021 following the PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analysis of cross-sectional observational studies comparing the scores of the RMET between patients with eating disorders and age- and-gender matched control groups. RESULTS Out of 21 studies, we retrieved 29 independent samples of patients diagnosed with an eating disorder. Patients with active AN (n = 580) showed worse performances on the RMET than controls (n = 1019). Year of publication accounted for 61% of the (substantial: I2 = 81%) heterogeneity in the meta-analysis. Earlier studies were more likely to find worse performances on the RMET of patients with active AN than later studies. Patients with bulimia nervosa (n = 185) performed poorly as compared to controls (n = 249), but the results were not statistically significant on the random-effect model. Obese patients with binge-eating disorder (n = 54) did not differ on the RMET from obese controls (n = 52). Patients with eating disorder not otherwise specified (n = 57) showed minimal differences compared to controls (n = 96). Study quality was good in six studies only. CONCLUSIONS Patients with eating disorders do not suffer from an impaired understanding of others' mental states, except for a still-to-be-identified subgroup of patients with active AN. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I, systematic review and meta-analysis.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
In the last decades, increasing attention has been provided to socio-cultural and neurobiological factors involved in the psychopathology of feeding and eating disorders (FED), encouraging a multifactorial approach. In this framework, several authors stressed an association between FED and other kinds of psychiatric disorders from both a psychopathological and a neurobiological point of view. In particular, many promising contributions are focusing on the possible link between FED and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Growing interest about this association rose from the frequently reported evidence of ASD-like traits amongst FED patients and abnormal eating behaviors amongst patients with ASD. This narrative review overview aims to summarize the most relevant findings about the overlap between different kinds of FED and the autism spectrum, taking into account the most recent hypotheses about the psychopathology of both these conditions. While most of the studies focused on anorexia nervosa, both ASD and autistic traits seem to be detectable also in other kinds of FED. In addition, the recently increased interest toward a dimensional approach to psychopathology led to progressively broadening the concept of ASD, focusing on its subthreshold and gender-specific manifestations and on its link with other psychiatric conditions, including FED. Globally the studies summarized here provide further support to theoretical models featuring a neurodevelopmental approach for mental disorders. In particular, FED have been conceptualized as a possible psychopathological trajectory of a neurodevelopmental alteration, toward which female gender would act as one of many predisposing factors.
Collapse
|
12
|
Adams KL, Murphy J, Catmur C, Bird G. The role of interoception in the overlap between eating disorders and autism: Methodological considerations. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2022; 30:501-509. [PMID: 35411642 PMCID: PMC9543236 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Significant comorbidity has been demonstrated between feeding and eating disorders and autism. Atypical interoception (perception of bodily signals) may, at least in part, be responsible for this association, as it has been implicated in the aetiology of both conditions. However, significant methodological limitations are impeding progress in this area. This paper provides a brief overview of how interoception has been linked to autism and feeding and eating disorders in both adolescent and adult populations before identifying several issues with current measures of interoception. We suggest that methodological issues may be contributing to the inconsistency in the empirical literature, and provide suggestions for future research. Atypical interoception is linked to both feeding and eating disorders, and autism and may contribute to the comorbidity between the two. Existing measures of interoception across cardiac, gastric and respiratory domains are severely limited. Novel and better‐validated measures of interoception will allow us to better understand the clinical potential of interoceptive training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Caroline Catmur
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Geoffrey Bird
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Andersen NK, Rimvall MK, Jeppesen P, Bentz M, Jepsen JRM, Clemmensen L, Jacobsen RK, Olsen EM. A psychometric investigation of the multiple-choice version of Animated Triangles Task to measure Theory of Mind in adolescence. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264319. [PMID: 35271598 PMCID: PMC8912123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Animated Triangles Task (AT) is commonly used to measure Theory of Mind (ToM). AT can be scored by clinicians based on participants’ verbal responses (AT-verbal) or using a multiple-choice paradigm (AT-MCQ). This study aimed to evaluate the validity of the less time-consuming AT-MCQ. To do this, we examined agreement and correlations between the AT-MCQ and the original AT-verbal scores in 1546 adolescents from a population-based sample. As a supplementary analysis of known-groups validity, we examined if AT-MCQ was as sensitive as AT-verbal in detecting ToM-limitations in 54 adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using register-data. The agreement between AT-verbal and AT-MCQ varied markedly across test items. Scores on the two scoring methods were weakly correlated. Both scoring methods weakly detected differences between adolescents with and without ASD in this population-based sample. Most participants had appropriate responses on both AT-MCQ and AT-verbal, which yielded overall acceptable agreement. However, the feasibility of using either scoring methods to measure ToM-limitations in adolescents from the general population is questionable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Naja Kirstine Andersen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Martin Køster Rimvall
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital – Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Pia Jeppesen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Copenhagen University Hospital – Psychiatry Region Zealand, Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
- Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research and Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research, Mental Health Services, The Capital Region, Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Lars Clemmensen
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health, CORE, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Kart Jacobsen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, The Capital Region, Denmark
| | - Else Marie Olsen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, The Capital Region, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Psychiatric Center Ballerup, Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Ballerup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Mason TB, Lesser EL, Dolgon-Krutolow AR, Wonderlich SA, Smith KE. An updated transdiagnostic review of social cognition and eating disorder psychopathology. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 143:602-627. [PMID: 33190838 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Existing data suggest that deficits in social cognitive functioning are transdiagnostic phenomena that are observed across various forms of psychopathology. The goal of the present review was to provide an updated systematic review of the literature on social cognitive functioning across eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). Studies that assessed six areas of social cognition were included: theory of mind, social perception, social knowledge, attributional bias, emotion perception, and emotion processing. A systematic search identified 71 studies, the majority of which examined adult women with AN. Research typically focused on alexithymia, theory of mind, empathy, social processing, emotion recognition, or emotion processing. Results suggested some deficits in social cognition in EDs. AN had the most studies with some evidence for deficiencies in social cognition but a fair amount of variability. Research on BN and BED was limited and inconsistent, though there appear to be some deficits in social cognition. Together, the limited coverage across EDs and heterogeneous methodology preclude firm conclusions regarding general or ED-specific deficits, as well as understanding the role of social cognition in ED etiology and maintenance. Therefore, several key questions and future directions are outlined for research moving forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler B Mason
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Anna R Dolgon-Krutolow
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Stephen A Wonderlich
- Sanford Center for Bio-behavioral Research, Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Kathryn E Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Babb C, Brede J, Jones CRG, Elliott M, Zanker C, Tchanturia K, Serpell L, Mandy W, Fox JRE. 'It's not that they don't want to access the support . . . it's the impact of the autism': The experience of eating disorder services from the perspective of autistic women, parents and healthcare professionals. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 25:1409-1421. [PMID: 33588579 PMCID: PMC8264634 DOI: 10.1177/1362361321991257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT This study explores autistic women's experiences of eating disorder services. About 20%-30% of people with anorexia nervosa are also autistic, and current treatments seem not to work as well for them. We interviewed 15 autistic women with experience of anorexia nervosa, 12 parents of autistic women with anorexia nervosa, and 11 healthcare professionals working in eating disorder services. We asked autistic women and parents about their experiences of eating disorder services, and we asked healthcare professionals about their experiences treating autistic women with anorexia nervosa. Participants' views were represented by three overall themes: misunderstanding autism and autistic traits, one treatment does not fit all, and improving accessibility and engagement within services. We found that autistic women face many barriers when in treatment for anorexia nervosa, often because of a lack of autism understanding within eating disorder services. Future research should look at developing anorexia nervosa treatments that can specifically help autistic individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucy Serpell
- University College London, UK
- Eating Disorder Service, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, Essex, UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Concurrent Validity of the ABAS-II Questionnaire with the Vineland II Interview for Adaptive Behavior in a Pediatric ASD Sample: High Correspondence Despite Systematically Lower Scores. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 51:1417-1427. [PMID: 32776267 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04597-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We examined the correlation between interviewer-administered Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (VABS-II) and the parent-rated Adaptive Behavior Assessment System II (ABAS-II) questionnaire in 352 participants (ages 1.5-20.8 years) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to determine if ABAS could be used as a screen to reduce the number of VABS interviews. Corresponding domain scores between the two measures were highly correlated but scores were significantly lower on the ABAS-II. Screening with ABAS-II significantly reduced the number of VABS-II interviews required with little cost to overall accuracy. The ABAS-II provides a cost- and time-saving alternative to the VABS-II to rule out functional impairment; however, scores are not strictly comparable between the two measures.
Collapse
|
17
|
Rothschild-Yakar L, Goshen D, Enoch-Levy A, Raanan H, Gur E, Stein D, Golan O. General mentalizing, emotional theory of mind and interpersonal mistrust in anorexia nervosa: The validation of the Hebrew version of the Cambridge mindreading face-task. Clin Psychol Psychother 2021; 29:240-249. [PMID: 34110657 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study had two goals. The first was to validate and examine the potential of the Hebrew version of the Cambridge Mindreading face task (CAMHeb )-an ecological measure of emotional theory of mind (eToM)-to assess eToM in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN). The second goal was to examine whether interpersonal mistrust would mediate the relation between mentalizing and eToM and the severity of AN. METHOD The validity of the CAMHeb was examined using well-established measures of mentalizing ability and eToM in 45 young female patients with AN and 53 control participants. Next, the mediation model was assessed using a subsample of 33 AN patients and 34 controls, in which interpersonal mistrust was additionally assessed. RESULTS The CAMHeb correlated with the measures of mentalizing ability and eToM. The CAMHeb , along with the measure of general mentalizing, significantly differentiated between the AN and control groups. The associations of general mentalizing and CAMHeb with eating disorder (ED) symptoms were mediated by interpersonal mistrust. CONCLUSION The CAMHeb is a valid measure of deficient eToM in AN. In therapy, an increase in mentalizing ability and accurate eToM may enhance interpersonal trust, which may further contribute to attenuation of AN symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dor Goshen
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Adi Enoch-Levy
- Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Hadas Raanan
- Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eitan Gur
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Daniel Stein
- Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, TelAviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Golan
- Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Inoue T, Otani R, Iguchi T, Ishii R, Uchida S, Okada A, Kitayama S, Koyanagi K, Suzuki Y, Suzuki Y, Sumi Y, Takamiya S, Tsurumaru Y, Nagamitsu S, Fukai Y, Fujii C, Matsuoka M, Iwanami J, Wakabayashi A, Sakuta R. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder and autistic traits in children with anorexia nervosa and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Biopsychosoc Med 2021; 15:9. [PMID: 34001197 PMCID: PMC8130445 DOI: 10.1186/s13030-021-00212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) such as anorexia nervosa (AN) are strongly linked as evidenced by frequent comorbidity and overlapping traits. However, eating and social behaviors are shaped by culture, so it is critical to examine these associations in different populations. Moreover, FEDs are heterogeneous, and there has been no examination of autistic traits in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). METHODS Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of ASD and autistic traits among Japanese children with AN (n = 92) or ARFID (n = 32) from a prospective multicenter cohort study using the Autism Spectrum Quotient Children's version (AQC) and Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT26). RESULTS ASD prevalence was high in both AN and ARFID (16.3 and 12.5%, respectively). The AN group exhibited significantly higher scores on all AQC subscales than an age-matched healthy control (HC) group, but there were no significant correlations between AQC scores and ChEAT26 scores. In the AFRID group, AQC scores did not differ from HCs, but significant correlations were found between total AQC and ChEAT26 scores and between several AQC and ChEAT26 subscales. CONCLUSIONS Both the AN and ARFID groups had high prevalence rates of ASD. The AN group showed a significantly higher degree of autistic traits than the HC group; however, no difference was found between the ARFID and HC groups. Clinicians need to be aware of these rates when working with children with ED.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Inoue
- Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Child Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, 2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama-Ken, 343-8555, Japan.
- Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Ryoko Otani
- Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Child Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, 2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama-Ken, 343-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Iguchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hoshigaoka Maternity Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ryuta Ishii
- Department of Pediatrics and Child health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Soh Uchida
- Department of Pediatrics, Tachikawa Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Okada
- Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | | | - Kenshi Koyanagi
- Nagasaki Prefectural Center of Medicine and Welfare for Children, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Mie National Hospital, Mie, Japan
| | - Yuichi Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yoshino Sumi
- Mental and developmental clinic for children "Elm Tree", Hokaido, Japan
| | - Shizuo Takamiya
- Psychiatry Department, Kobe City Nishi-Kobe Medical Center, Hyogo, Japan
- Takamiya Psychiatry Clinic, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yasuko Tsurumaru
- Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nagamitsu
- Department of Pediatrics and Child health, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshimitsu Fukai
- Tokyo Metropolitan Children's Medical Center, Psychosomatic Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chikako Fujii
- Department of Pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Michiko Matsuoka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Junpei Iwanami
- Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Child Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, 2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama-Ken, 343-8555, Japan
| | | | - Ryoichi Sakuta
- Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Child Development and Psychosomatic Medicine Center, 2-1-50, Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya-shi, Saitama-Ken, 343-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Malcolm A, Phillipou A. Current directions in biomarkers and endophenotypes for anorexia nervosa: A scoping review. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:303-310. [PMID: 33735721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
There are currently no validated biomarkers for anorexia nervosa (AN), though recent literature suggests an increased research interest in this area. Biomarkers are objective, measurable indicators of illness that can be used to assist with diagnosis, risk assessment, and tracking of illness state. Related to biomarkers are endophenotypes, which are quantifiable phenomena that are distinct from symptoms and which link genes to manifest illness. In this scoping review, we sought to provide a summary of recent research conducted in the pursuit of biomarkers and endophenotypes for AN. The findings indicate that a number of possible biomarkers which can assess the presence or severity of AN independently of weight status, including psychophysical (e.g., eye-tracking) and biological (e.g., immune, endocrine, metabolomic, neurobiological) markers, are currently under investigation. However, this research is still in early phases and lacking in replication studies. Endophenotype research has largely been confined to the study of several neurocognitive features, with mixed evidence to support their classification as possible endophenotypes for the disorder. The study of biomarkers and endophenotypes in AN involves significant challenges due to confounding factors of illness-related sequalae, such as starvation. Future research in these areas must prioritise direct evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity and test-retest reliability of proposed biomarkers and enhanced control of confounding physical consequences of AN in the study of biomarkers and endophenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Malcolm
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts & Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia.
| | - Andrea Phillipou
- Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts & Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia; Department of Mental Health, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Mental Health, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dinkler L, Taylor MJ, Råstam M, Hadjikhani N, Bulik CM, Lichtenstein P, Gillberg C, Lundström S. Anorexia nervosa and autism: a prospective twin cohort study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2021; 62:316-326. [PMID: 32496594 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be phenotypically and etiologically linked. However, due to the absence of prospective studies, it remains unclear whether the elevation of autistic traits in AN is evident in early childhood. Here, we prospectively investigated autistic traits before and after the first diagnosis of AN. METHODS In a population-based sample of 5,987 individuals (52.4% female) from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden, parents reported autistic traits at ages 9 and 18. AN and ASD diagnoses were retrieved from the Swedish National Patient Register. In addition, AN diagnoses were ascertained by parent-reported treatment for AN. We compared whether individuals with and without AN differed in autistic traits before the first diagnosis of AN (age 9) and after the first diagnosis of AN (age 18). RESULTS We did not find evidence for elevated autistic traits in 9-year-old children later diagnosed with AN. At age 18, however, there was a marked elevation in restricted/repetitive behavior and interests, but only in the subgroup of individuals with acute AN. A less pronounced elevation was observed for social communication problems. CONCLUSIONS Coping strategies in individuals with ASD and the somewhat different female ASD phenotype may explain why we did not find elevated autistic traits in children who later developed AN. Alternatively, it is possible that elevated autistic traits were not present prior to the onset of AN, thus questioning the previously reported elevated prevalence of ASD in AN. Future studies should use tailored measurements in order to investigate whether autistic traits in individuals with AN are best conceptualized as an epiphenomenon of the acute AN phase or whether these symptoms indeed represent ASD as a clinically verifiable neurodevelopmental disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Dinkler
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mark J Taylor
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Råstam
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nouchine Hadjikhani
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher Gillberg
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Lundström
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Cortés-García L, Akça ÖF, Wall K, Sharp C. Exploring mentalizing in adolescents with anorexia nervosa and borderline personality disorder: A comparative study of psychiatric inpatients and healthy controls. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2021; 9:16-26. [PMID: 33928050 PMCID: PMC8077418 DOI: 10.21307/sjcapp-2021-003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Impaired mentalizing, i.e., difficulties in understanding oneself and others in terms of mental states, has been associated with the development of Anorexia Nervosa (AN), mainly among adults. However, few studies have addressed this question in clinical samples of adolescents with AN. Moreover, no study has explored mentalizing abilities among inpatient adolescents presenting with AN and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), despite their high comorbidity in a highly relevant age group. Objective: This study attempted, for the first time, to further examine differences in mentalizing abilities and to identify specific mentalizing impairments in different psychiatric inpatient groups and healthy adolescents. Methods: Using samples of female adolescents aged 12–17, comparison analyses were performed between psychiatric inpatient adolescents with AN (n = 44), BPD (n = 101), AN+BPD (n = 48), other psychopathology (n = 163) and healthy adolescents (n = 129). Structured and semi-structured clinical interviews, and two experimental tasks were administered to assess AN, BPD and mentalizing, respectively. Results: Comparison analyses showed that patients with BPD and other psychiatric disorders evidenced higher levels of hypermentalizing compared to healthy adolescents. Hypermentalizing was also reported among inpatients with AN+BPD, although to a lesser extent. BPD and AN scores were positively correlated with hypermentalizing responses. Conclusions: Our results suggest that hypermentalizing is a specific mentalization impairment in inpatient adolescents, particularly with BPD and both AN+BPD. Further investigation into the efficacy of mentalization based treatments for adolescents with BPD and AN+BPD is recommended. Prospective studies are needed to assess mentalizing using experimental tasks among adolescents with AN, taking into account the potential influence of temporality and severity of the disorders’ symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cortés-García
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ömer Faruk Akça
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram School of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Kiana Wall
- University of Houston, Department of Psychology, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carla Sharp
- University of Houston, Department of Psychology, Houston, Texas, USA.,University of the Free State, Center for Developmental Support, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang K, Yu XY, Yu CR, Liu YF, Chu MY, Zhang RT, Liang R, Chen J, Littleton HL, Shum DHK, Chan RCK. Validation of the Chinese Version of the Body Image Concern Inventory. Eval Health Prof 2020; 45:204-214. [PMID: 33322941 DOI: 10.1177/0163278720979651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The Body Image Concern Inventory (BICI) was developed to assess dysmorphic appearance concern and has been found to be a reliable and valid instrument in Western societies. To examine the psychometric properties of a new Chinese BICI, the BICI was administered to 1,231 Chinese young adults (Study 1) and 47 female patients with eating disorders and 56 matched controls (ED; Study 2). In study 1, Cronbach's alpha of .92 and test-retest reliability of .73 over a 6-month interval was observed for the total scale. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a 3-factor model for the BICI: avoidant behaviors (AB), safety behaviors against perceived flaws (SB), and negative appearance evaluation (NE). In study 2, ED patients scored significantly higher on the BICI total and three subscale scores than controls. In addition, AB best differentiated ED patients and matched controls (Cohen's d = 1.52); SB best differentiated between the non-clinical female and male groups (Cohen's d = 0.75); NE was most closely associated with level of negative affect and subjective well-being (inverse relationship) in both clinical and non-clinical groups. In conclusion, the Chinese BICI is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating dysmorphic appearance concern among Chinese speakers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kui Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Yang Yu
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chao-Ran Yu
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Fei Liu
- Translational Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Yi Chu
- Translational Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui-Ting Zhang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Liang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jue Chen
- Psychosomatic Unit, Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - David H K Shum
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.,Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Translational Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Shanghai Mental Health Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Brede J, Babb C, Jones C, Elliott M, Zanker C, Tchanturia K, Serpell L, Fox J, Mandy W. "For Me, the Anorexia is Just a Symptom, and the Cause is the Autism": Investigating Restrictive Eating Disorders in Autistic Women. J Autism Dev Disord 2020; 50:4280-4296. [PMID: 32274604 PMCID: PMC7677288 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-020-04479-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autistic women are overrepresented among people in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to: (1) better understand how AN develops and persists in autistic individuals from the perspective of autistic women, parents and healthcare professionals; (2) derive a theoretical model of restrictive eating difficulties in autism. We conducted 44 semi-structured interviews and used Thematic Analysis to identify patterns of meaning across the data. Themes related to sensory sensitivities, social interaction and relationships, sense of self and identity, difficulties with emotions, thinking styles, and a need for control and predictability. We developed a model of potential autism-specific mechanisms underlying restrictive eating difficulties. This study generated novel insights, which have the potential to inform treatment adaptations following empirical testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janina Brede
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Charli Babb
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Catherine Jones
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Mair Elliott
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | | | | | - Lucy Serpell
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - John Fox
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT UK
| | - Will Mandy
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Vuillier L, Carter Z, Teixeira AR, Moseley RL. Alexithymia may explain the relationship between autistic traits and eating disorder psychopathology. Mol Autism 2020; 11:63. [PMID: 32758290 PMCID: PMC7406391 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00364-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autistic people are disproportionately vulnerable to anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders (ED), and within the general population, autistic traits correlate with ED psychopathology. A putative mechanism which may underpin this heightened risk is alexithymia, a difficulty identifying and describing emotional states which is observed in both autism and ED. In two experiments with independent non-clinical samples, we explored whether alexithymia might mediate the heightened risk of eating psychopathology in individuals high in autistic traits. METHODS Our first experiment used the PROCESS macro for SPSS to examine relationships between alexithymia (measured by the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)), autistic traits (autism quotient (AQ)), and eating psychopathology (Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26)) in 121 participants. Our second experiment (n = 300) replicated and furthered this analysis by examining moderating effects of sex and controlling for anxiety and depression as covariates. We also included an additional performance-based measure of alexithymia, the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale (LEAS). RESULTS Study 1 suggested that TAS-20 scores mediated the relationship between heightened autistic traits and eating psychopathology. Replication and further scrutiny of this finding, in study 2, revealed that this mediation effect was partial and specific to the female participants in this sample. The mediation effect appeared to be carried by the difficulty identifying feelings subscale of the TAS-20, even when depression and anxiety were controlled for. LEAS scores, however, were not significantly related to autistic traits or eating psychopathology. LIMITATIONS Cross-sectional data prevents any conclusions around the direction and causality of relationships between alexithymia, autistic traits, and eating psychopathology (alongside depression and anxiety), necessitating longitudinal research. Our non-clinical sample was predominantly Caucasian undergraduate students, so it remains to be seen if these results would extrapolate to clinical and/or autistic samples. Divergence between the TAS-20 and LEAS raises crucial questions regarding the construct validity of these measures. CONCLUSIONS Our findings with respect to autistic traits suggest that alexithymia could partially explain the prevalence of ED in autistic people and may as such be an important consideration in the pathogenesis and treatment of ED in autistic and non-autistic people alike. Further research with clinical samples is critical to explore these ideas. Differences between men and women, furthermore, emphasize the importance of looking for sex-specific as well as generic risk factors in autistic and non-autistic men and women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Vuillier
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - Z. Carter
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - A. R. Teixeira
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| | - R. L. Moseley
- Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Bentz M, Westwood H, Jepsen JRM, Plessen KJ, Tchanturia K. The autism diagnostic observation schedule: Patterns in individuals with anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2020; 28:571-579. [PMID: 32729156 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies have used the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (the ADOS-2) in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), but the patterns of scores have not been assessed. We examined which subset of the ADOS-2 items best discriminate individuals with AN from healthy controls (HC), and assessed the potential clustering of AN participants based on different profiles of the ADOS-2 item scores. METHOD We combined datasets from two previous studies, and (a) compared mean ranks between young AN participants (N = 118) and HC (N = 42), (ii) replicated the item selection procedure of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm to assess sensitivity of items in the AN group, and (c) applied a two-step clustering analysis in the AN group (N = 149). RESULTS AN participants displayed significantly higher mean ranks than HC participants in five of 32 items. All five items are part of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm. We found two clusters of AN participants; one representing normal social behaviour, comprising 68% of the individuals with AN, and one representing less efficient social behaviour, comprising 32% of individuals with AN. CONCLUSIONS The items comprising the social affective cluster of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm are well suited to assess difficulties with social functioning in individuals with AN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heather Westwood
- Section of Eating Disorders, Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Jens Richardt Møllegaard Jepsen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Mental Health Centre Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Section of Eating Disorders, Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Sedgewick F, Leppanen J, Tchanturia K. Autistic adult outcomes on weight and body mass index: a large-scale online study. Eat Weight Disord 2020; 25:795-801. [PMID: 31065975 PMCID: PMC7256089 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-019-00695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There has been a wealth of work on the weight outcomes of autistic children and young people, generally finding that they are more likely to be overweight or obese than their non-autistic counterparts. There has not been the same focussed study of the weight outcomes of autistic adults, however. This study, therefore, sought to examine the relationship between weight outcome and being autistic in adults. METHODS Data were collected as part of an online study looking at eating, autism, and relationships. 665 people gave demographic and mental health information, and group differences and robust regressions were conducted. RESULTS Autistic adults were more likely to be in non-healthy weight categories than their non-autistic counterparts, i.e., more likely to be underweight, overweight, or obese. There were no interactions between autism status and mental health impacting BMI, although both anxiety and depression predicted higher BMI in the sample overall. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that while some weight patterns from childhood and adolescence continue into adulthood for autistic individuals, this is not necessarily a straightforward picture, and would benefit from further in-depth and qualitative study to understand the processes at play. The lack of interactions between mental health and autism, however, should provide professionals with confidence in supporting healthy weight management among autistic people. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, cohort study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Sedgewick
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jenni Leppanen
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, London, UK. .,South London and Maudsley NHS Trust EDU, London, UK. .,Psychology Department, Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Kerr-Gaffney J, Halls D, Harrison A, Tchanturia K. Exploring Relationships Between Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adults With Anorexia Nervosa: A Network Approach. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:401. [PMID: 32477185 PMCID: PMC7235355 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, research has accumulated to suggest a relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Elevated ASD traits are present in around one third of those with AN, and there is some evidence to suggest that ASD traits are associated with more severe eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. The current study aimed to examine relationships between ED and ASD symptoms in individuals with a lifetime history of AN using network analysis. One hundred and one participants completed the ED Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2). A regularized partial correlation network was estimated using a graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Expected influence (EI) and bridge EI values were calculated to identify central and bridge symptoms respectively. Isolation, difficulties with relating to others, and feelings of tension during social situations were most central to the network, while poor self-confidence, concerns over eating around others, and concerns over others seeing one's body were the strongest bridge symptoms. Our findings confirm that interpersonal problems are central to ED psychopathology. They also suggest poor self-confidence and social anxiety-type worries may mediate the relationship between ED and ASD symptoms in those with a lifetime diagnosis of AN. Longitudinal studies examining fluctuations in symptoms over time may be helpful in understanding direction of causality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess Kerr-Gaffney
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Halls
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amy Harrison
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kinnaird E, Stewart C, Tchanturia K. The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa. Mol Autism 2020; 11:25. [PMID: 32276668 PMCID: PMC7146886 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00331-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN. METHODS The study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient. RESULTS There were no significant differences on taste and olfactory outcomes between people with AN and HC. These findings did not change after controlling for the heightened levels of autistic traits in the AN group. No relationship between taste and smell outcomes and autistic traits were identified within the AN group. LIMITATIONS The current study is not able to draw conclusions about taste and smell processing in co-occurring autism and AN as it only measured levels of autistic traits, rather than comparing people with and without an autism diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS No significant associations between autistic traits and taste and smell processing in AN were identified. Future research should consider further exploring this area, including by comparing autistic women to women with AN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kinnaird
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Catherine Stewart
- Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Eating Disorders Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- Department of Psychology, Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Kerr-Gaffney J, Mason L, Jones E, Hayward H, Ahmad J, Harrison A, Loth E, Murphy D, Tchanturia K. Emotion Recognition Abilities in Adults with Anorexia Nervosa are Associated with Autistic Traits. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E1057. [PMID: 32276387 PMCID: PMC7230901 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Difficulties in socio-emotional functioning are proposed to contribute to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). This study aimed to examine emotion recognition abilities in individuals in the acute and recovered stages of AN compared to healthy controls (HCs). A second aim was to examine whether attention to faces and comorbid psychopathology predicted emotion recognition abilities. The films expressions task was administered to 148 participants (46 AN, 51 recovered AN, 51 HC) to assess emotion recognition, during which attention to faces was recorded using eye-tracking. Comorbid psychopathology was assessed using self-report questionnaires and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2nd edition (ADOS-2). No significant differences in emotion recognition abilities or attention to faces were found between groups. However, individuals with a lifetime history of AN who scored above the clinical cut-off on the ADOS-2 displayed poorer emotion recognition performance than those scoring below cut-off and HCs. ADOS-2 scores significantly predicted emotion recognition abilities while controlling for group membership and intelligence. Difficulties in emotion recognition appear to be associated with high autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, rather than a feature of AN. Whether individuals with AN and high ASD traits may require different treatment strategies or adaptations is a question for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess Kerr-Gaffney
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK;
| | - Luke Mason
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7JL, UK
| | - Emily Jones
- Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, London WC1E 7JL, UK
| | - Hannah Hayward
- Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK
| | - Jumana Ahmad
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Amy Harrison
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, London WC1H 0AA, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London SE5 8AZ, UK
| | - Eva Loth
- Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK
| | - Declan Murphy
- Department of Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AB, UK;
- South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London SE5 8AZ, UK
- Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi 0162, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kerr-Gaffney J, Harrison A, Tchanturia K. The social responsiveness scale is an efficient screening tool for autism spectrum disorder traits in adults with anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2020; 28:433-444. [PMID: 32243021 PMCID: PMC8653883 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A significant proportion of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) show high levels of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, a factor associated with poorer treatment outcomes. An important question for both researchers and clinicians relates to how ASD traits should be assessed in individuals with AN. This study aimed to examine scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale adult self-report version (SRS-2) in individuals in the acute (AN) and recovered stages (REC) of illness compared to healthy controls (HCs). We also aimed to examine associations between the SRS-2 and an observational diagnostic measure, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - second edition (ADOS-2). METHOD The SRS-2 and ADOS-2 were administered to 142 adults with AN, REC, and HCs. Eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and functional impairment were also assessed. RESULTS AN and REC scored significantly higher than HCs on the SRS-2. SRS-2 scores significantly predicted ADOS-2 classification and were positively associated with ED psychopathology and functional impairment. SRS-2 scores were not associated with BMI or illness duration. CONCLUSIONS The SRS-2 may be a useful tool in screening for ASD traits in individuals with AN. Although cross-sectional, the results also suggest ASD symptoms are independent of BMI and persist in individuals recovered from AN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess Kerr-Gaffney
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Amy Harrison
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kerr-Gaffney J, Harrison A, Tchanturia K. Autism spectrum disorder traits are associated with empathic abilities in adults with anorexia nervosa. J Affect Disord 2020; 266:273-281. [PMID: 32056888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social and emotional difficulties have been identified as key factors in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). However, few studies have investigated the influence of comorbid psychopathology on social cognition. The aim of the current study was to examine perception of nonverbal communication and empathy in AN using ecologically valid, performance-based measures, and to explore associations with comorbid psychopathology (anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, alexithymia, and social anxiety). METHODS In this cross-sectional study, the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET) and the Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity (MiniPONS) were administered to 51 adults with AN, 51 recovered AN (REC), and 51 healthy controls (HCs). Comorbid psychopathological traits were assessed using self-report questionnaires and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - 2nd edition (ADOS-2). RESULTS Individuals with AN showed reduced affective empathy to positive stimuli compared to HCs, and a trend towards lower vocal prosody recognition scores relative to REC. Around a quarter of AN and REC scored above the clinical cut-off for ASD on the ADOS-2, and high ASD symptoms predicted lower cognitive and affective empathy scores. LIMITATIONS The study is cross-sectional, future research would benefit from examining social-cognition performance and comorbid psychopathology longitudinally. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the importance of ASD symptoms in empathy dysfunction in those with a lifetime history of AN. Future research should explore whether treatment adaptations to accommodate for differences in social-cognitive abilities may be helpful in the treatment of AN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess Kerr-Gaffney
- King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Amy Harrison
- University College London, Department of Psychology and Human Development, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Rothschild-Yakar L, Stein D, Goshen D, Shoval G, Yacobi A, Eger G, Kartin B, Gur E. Mentalizing Self and Other and Affect Regulation Patterns in Anorexia and Depression. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2223. [PMID: 31681070 PMCID: PMC6803447 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to examine two constructs: general mentalizing processes and the specific component of affective mentalizing regarding self and others alongside the construct of affect regulation patterns in female adolescent and young adult inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN; n = 41), depression (n = 20) and controls (n = 53). We further examined the predictive ability of affect regulation to eating-disorder (ED) symptoms beyond that of the mentalizing variables, and their potential role in mediating between mentalizing, depression and ED symptoms. We used tools assessing reflective functioning (RF), complex emotion recognition and theory of mind (ToM), alexithymia, affect regulation, depression, and ED symptoms. The AN and depression groups exhibited lower general mentalizing and higher alexithymia, emotional reactivity, and emotional cutoff patterns than controls, but showed no greater disturbance in ToM. The two clinical groups did not differ on any of these variables. Elevated mentalizing and adequate affect regulation patterns separately predicted lower severity of ED symptoms. Nonetheless, affect regulation did not add to the predictive value of mentalizing variables. Specifically, elevated alexithymia, and depressive symptomatology, but not RF, predicted greater ED symptomatology. Moreover, alexithymia directly accounted for elevated ED symptoms and also indirectly connected with ED symptoms via emotional hyperactivation and elevated depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that deficiencies in mentalization and affect regulation are not unique to AN, but may rather associated with psychopathology in general. Nonetheless, alexithymia and depression may increase ED-related symptomatology. Affect regulation deficiencies are mainly related with depressive symptoms and emotional hyperactivation is indirectly related with AN via the depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lily Rothschild-Yakar
- School of Psychology, The Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Daniel Stein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Dor Goshen
- School of Psychology, The Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gal Shoval
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Assaf Yacobi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Psychiatry, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Gilad Eger
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tikva, Israel
| | - Bar Kartin
- School of Psychology, The Herta and Paul Amir Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Eitan Gur
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Nickel K, Maier S, Endres D, Joos A, Maier V, Tebartz van Elst L, Zeeck A. Systematic Review: Overlap Between Eating, Autism Spectrum, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:708. [PMID: 31649563 PMCID: PMC6796791 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Links between eating disorders (EDs) [e.g., anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED)] and the major neurodevelopmental disorders of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been repeatedly highlighted. In both ASD and ADHD, these links range from an elevated risk for EDs to common symptomatic overlaps and etiological commonalities with EDs. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search (through July 2019) with Medline via Ovid for epidemiological data on EDs (AN, BN, and BED) in combination with both ASD and ADHD. Results: The reviewed studies showed that, on average, 4.7% of patients with certain ED diagnoses (AN, BN, or BED) received an ASD diagnosis. Reliable data on the prevalence of EDs in ASD samples are still scarce. Comorbid ASD is most commonly diagnosed in patients with AN. The prevalence of ADHD in EDs ranged between 1.6% and 18%. Comorbid ADHD was more often reported in the AN-binge eating/purging subtype and BN than in the AN restrictive subtype. The prevalence of EDs in ADHD ranged between no association and a lifetime prevalence of 21.8% of developing an ED in women with ADHD. Conclusions: Studies on the prevalence rates of EDs in ADHD and ASD and vice versa are heterogeneous, but they indicate frequent association. While there is growing evidence of clinical overlaps between the three disorders, it remains difficult to determine whether overlapping characteristics (e.g., social withdrawal) are due to common comorbidities (e.g., depression) or are instead primarily associated with EDs and neurodevelopmental disorders. Furthermore, prospective studies are required to better understand how these disorders are related and whether ADHD and ASD could be either specific or nonspecific predisposing factors for the development of EDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Nickel
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simon Maier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominique Endres
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Joos
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Department of Psychotherapeutic Neurology, Kliniken Schmieder, Gailingen, Germany
| | - Viktoria Maier
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ludger Tebartz van Elst
- Section for Experimental Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Almut Zeeck
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Oldershaw A, DeJong H, Hambrook D, Schmidt U. Social attribution in anorexia nervosa. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2019; 26:197-206. [PMID: 29687578 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
People with anorexia nervosa (AN) report socioemotional difficulties; however, measurement has been criticised for lacking ecological validity and the state or trait nature of difficulties remains unclear. Participants (n = 122) were recruited across 3 groups: people who are currently ill with AN (n = 40); people who recovered (RecAN, n = 18); healthy-control participants (n = 64). Participants completed clinical questionnaires and the Social Attribution Task. The Social Attribution Task involves describing an animation of moving shapes, scored for number of propositions offered, accuracy, and social relevance. Groups were compared cross-sectionally. Those with current AN were assessed prepsychological and postpsychological treatments. People with AN provided fewer propositions than other groups and fewer salient social attributions than healthy-control participants. Those who recovered scored intermediately and not significantly different from either group. Following treatment, people with AN demonstrated (nonsignificant) improvements, and no significance between group differences were observed. Findings suggest difficulties for people with AN in providing spontaneous social narrative and in identifying social salience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oldershaw
- Eating Disorder Service, Kent & Medway NHS Social Partnership Trust, Maidstone, UK.,Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.,Salmons Centre for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University, Tunbridge Wells, UK
| | - Hannah DeJong
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - David Hambrook
- Talking Therapies Southwark, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Assessing ASD in Adolescent Females with Anorexia Nervosa using Clinical and Developmental Measures: a Preliminary Investigation. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL CHILD PSYCHOLOGY 2019; 46:183-192. [PMID: 28417276 PMCID: PMC5770498 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-017-0301-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to use standardised, clinical assessment tools to explore the presence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) symptoms in a sample of adolescent females with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), receiving either day-patient or inpatient treatment for their eating disorder and to determine whether any such symptoms were present during the early developmental period, a requirement for a diagnosis of ASD. Using a cross-sectional design, 40 females aged between 12 and 18 were recruited from inpatient and day-patient eating disorder services. All participants had a diagnosis of AN and were assessed for symptoms of ASD using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd edition (ADOS-2). If participants scored at or above clinical cut-off on the ADOS-2, their parents were asked to complete the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview, short version (3Di-sv). Of the 40 participants assessed, 21 scored above cut-off on the ADOS-2. When developmental history was obtained, only four participants scored above cut-off on all sub-scales of the 3Di-sv, thus meeting full research criteria for ASD. This study suggests that 10% of adolescents with AN from inpatient or day-patient settings may have diagnosable ASD, while a further 40% may show symptoms of ASD, which may arise from the ill-state of AN or are not supported by parental report.
Collapse
|
36
|
Sedgewick F, Leppanen J, Goh F, Hayward H, Happé F, Tchanturia K. Similarities and Differences in Theory of Mind Responses of Patients With Anorexia Nervosa With and Without Autistic Features. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:318. [PMID: 31139102 PMCID: PMC6518020 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Theory of Mind (ToM) is the ability to understand and represent mental states of others, a skill that plays a key role in how we interact with people around us. Difficulties with ToM have been posited as an underlying mechanism for autism and implicated in difficulties faced by those with anorexia nervosa (AN). This study examined, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the responses of women between the ages of 14 and 25 years on the Frith-Happé Triangle Animations, a well-validated test of ToM. Participants were split into healthy controls (HCs), AN patients (AN), and AN patients with high levels of autistic features (AN+ASF). We found no significant quantitative differences between groups in performance on the task. Qualitatively, there were differences between groups such that AN patients, especially those in the AN+ASF group, were more focused on describing the videos than creating narratives, were more negative in their interpretations, and were much more anxious about their performance. These qualitative differences have clinical implications, including that not all AN patients with autistic features should be assumed to have difficulties with ToM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Sedgewick
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Education, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jenni Leppanen
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Faith Goh
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Hayward
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Francesca Happé
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry (SGDP) Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,South London and Maudsley NHS Trust EDU, London, United Kingdom.,Psychology Department, Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Sedgewick F, Kerr-Gaffney J, Leppanen J, Tchanturia K. Anorexia Nervosa, Autism, and the ADOS: How Appropriate Is the New Algorithm in Identifying Cases? Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:507. [PMID: 31379625 PMCID: PMC6656855 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty years of scholarship has suggested that anorexia nervosa (AN) may be a "female presentation" of autism, supported by work which has found elevated rates of autism traits and diagnoses among women with clinical levels of AN. These traits are often assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition (ADOS-2), considered the "gold-standard" tool. Recently, the authors of the ADOS-2 revised the diagnostic algorithm for the adult version of the assessment-the one most often used with AN patients. We therefore examined differences in the scores, rates of diagnosis, and correlations with other mental health issues between the two diagnostic algorithms among women with and without AN. One hundred seventy-five women with current AN, who had recovered from AN, and with no history of AN, between the ages of 12 and 53, took part in an ADOS-2 assessment. Their scores were then calculated according to both the original and the new algorithms. The new ADOS-2 algorithm identifies more women as potentially being on the autism spectrum than the old algorithm. Under both algorithms, more currently ill AN patients were identified as potentially being autistic than those with no history of AN. Recovered individuals represented a midpoint between the scores of those with and without AN on both algorithms. There were no correlations with mental health scores in any group, meaning that the new ADOS-2 algorithm is not falsely identifying anxious behaviors or depressive presentations as signs of autism in this group. Overall, we found that more AN patients and recovered individuals scored above cut-off on the new ADOS-2 algorithm, suggesting that women who experience AN may have more autistic traits, which in part persist following weight restoration and recovery. However, the ADOS-2 should not be used alone but in combination with broader clinical assessments to determine whether an autism diagnosis is appropriate for these women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jess Kerr-Gaffney
- Eating Disorders Unit, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenni Leppanen
- Eating Disorders Unit, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Eating Disorders Unit, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review delineates issues in the conceptualization and operationalization of eating disorder recovery, highlights recent findings about recovery (since 2016), and proposes future directions. RECENT FINDINGS A longstanding problem in the field is that there are almost as many different definitions of recovery in eating disorders as there are studies on the topic. Yet, there has been a general shift to accepting that psychological/cognitive symptoms are important to recovery in addition to physical and behavioral indices. Further, several operationalizations of recovery have been proposed over the past two decades, and some efforts to validate operationalizations exist. However, this work has had limited impact and uptake, such that the field is suffering from "broken record syndrome," where calls are made for universal definitions time and time again. It is critical that proposed operationalizations be compared empirically to help arrive at a consensus definition and that institutional/organizational support help facilitate this. Themes in recent recovery research include identifying predictors, examining biological/neuropsychological factors, and considering severe and enduring anorexia nervosa. From qualitative research, those who have experienced eating disorders highlight recovery as a journey, as well as factors such as hope, self-acceptance, and benefiting from support from others as integral to the process of recovery. The field urgently needs to implement a universal definition of recovery that is backed by evidence, that can parsimoniously be implemented in clinical practice, and that will lead to greater harmonization of scientific findings.
Collapse
|
39
|
Christensen SS, Bentz M, Clemmensen L, Strandberg‐Larsen K, Olsen EM. Disordered eating behaviours and autistic traits—Are there any associations in nonclinical populations? A systematic review. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2018; 27:8-23. [DOI: 10.1002/erv.2627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterMental Health Services Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Lars Clemmensen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health CenterMental Health Services Copenhagen Denmark
- Center for TelepsychiatryMental Health Services Region of Southern Denmark
| | | | - Else Marie Olsen
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public HealthUniversity of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Leppanen J, Sedgewick F, Treasure J, Tchanturia K. Differences in the Theory of Mind profiles of patients with anorexia nervosa and individuals on the autism spectrum: A meta-analytic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 90:146-163. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
41
|
Dell'Osso L, Carpita B, Gesi C, Cremone IM, Corsi M, Massimetti E, Muti D, Calderani E, Castellini G, Luciano M, Ricca V, Carmassi C, Maj M. Subthreshold autism spectrum disorder in patients with eating disorders. Compr Psychiatry 2018; 81:66-72. [PMID: 29268154 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Increasingly data suggest a possible overlap between psychopathological manifestations of eating disorders (EDs) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of subthreshold autism spectrum symptoms, by means of a recently validated instrument, in a sample of participants with EDs, particularly comparing participants with or without binge eating behaviours. METHODS 138 participants meeting DSM-5 criteria for EDs and 160 healthy control participants (HCs), were recruited at 3 Italian University Departments of Psychiatry and assessed by the SCID-5, the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) and the Eating Disorders Inventory, version 2 (EDI-2). ED participants included: 46 with restrictive anorexia (AN-R); 24 with binge-purging type of Anorexia Nervosa (AN-BP); 34 with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and 34 with Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The sample was split in two groups: participants with binge eating behaviours (BEB), in which were included participants with AN-BP, BN and BED, and participants with restrictive behaviours (AN-R). RESULTS participants with EDs showed significantly higher AdAS Spectrum total scores than HCs. Moreover, EDs participants showed significantly higher scores on all AdAS Spectrum domains with the exception of Non verbal communication and Hyper-Hypo reactivity to sensory input for AN-BP participants, and Childhood/Adolescence domain for AN-BP and BED participants. Participants with AN-R scored significantly higher than participants with BEB on the AdAS Spectrum total score, and on the Inflexibility and adherence to routine and Restricted interest/rumination AdAS Spectrum domain scores. Significant correlations emerged between the Interpersonal distrust EDI-2 sub-scale and the Non verbal communication and the Restricted interest and rumination AdAS Spectrum domains; as well as between the Social insecurity EDI-2 sub-scale and the Inflexibility and adherence to routine and Restricted interest and rumination domains in participants with EDs. CONCLUSIONS Our data corroborate the presence of higher subthreshold autism spectrum symptoms among ED participants with respect to HCs, with particularly higher levels among restrictive participants. Relevant correlations between subthreshold autism spectrum symptoms and EDI-2 Subscale also emerged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Dell'Osso
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - B Carpita
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
| | - C Gesi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - I M Cremone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - M Corsi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - E Massimetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - D Muti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - E Calderani
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - G Castellini
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - M Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| | - V Ricca
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Florence University School of Medicine, 50134 Firenze, Italy
| | - C Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - M Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cardi V, Tchanturia K, Treasure J. Premorbid and Illness-related Social Difficulties in Eating Disorders: An Overview of the Literature and Treatment Developments. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 16:1122-1130. [PMID: 29345581 PMCID: PMC6187758 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x16666180118100028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social difficulties in eating disorders can manifest as predisposing traits and premorbid difficulties, and/or as consequences of the illness. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to briefly review the evidence of social problems in people with eating disorders and to consider the literature on treatments that target these features. METHOD A narrative review of the literature was conducted. RESULTS People with eating disorders often manifest traits, such as shyness, increased tendency to submissiveness and social comparison, and problems with peer relationships before illness onset. Further social difficulties occur as the illness develops, including impaired social cognition and increased threat sensitivity. All relationships with family, peers and therapists are compromised by these effects. Thus, social difficulties are both risk and maintaining factors of eating disorders and are suitable targets for interventions. Several forms of generic treatments (e.g. interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive analytic therapy, focal psychodynamic therapy) have an interpersonal focus and show some efficacy. Guided self-management based on the cognitive interpersonal model of the illness directed to both individuals and support persons has been found to improve outcomes for all parties. Adjunctive treatments that focus on specific social difficulties, such as cognitive remediation and emotion skills training and cognitive bias modification have been shown to have a promising role. CONCLUSION More work is needed to establish whether these approaches can improve on the rather disappointing outcomes that are attained by currently used treatments for eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Cardi
- Section of Eating Disorders, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, LondonSE5 8AF, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Section of Eating Disorders, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, LondonSE5 8AF, UK
| | - Janet Treasure
- Section of Eating Disorders, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, LondonSE5 8AF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tchanturia K, Adamson J, Leppanen J, Westwood H. Characteristics of autism spectrum disorder in anorexia nervosa: A naturalistic study in an inpatient treatment programme. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2017; 23:123-130. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361317722431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has demonstrated links between anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder however, few studies have examined the possible impact of symptoms of autism spectrum disorder on clinical outcomes in anorexia nervosa. The aim of this study was to examine the association between symptoms of autism spectrum disorder and eating disorders, and other psychopathology during the course of inpatient treatment in individuals with anorexia nervosa. Participants with anorexia nervosa (n = 171) completed questionnaires exploring eating disorder psychopathology, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and everyday functioning at both admission and discharge. Characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorder were assessed using the Autism Spectrum Quotient, short version. Autism spectrum disorder symptoms were significantly positively correlated with eating disorder psychopathology, work and social functioning, and symptoms of depression and anxiety, but not with body mass index. Autism Spectrum Quotient, short version scores remained relatively stable from admission to discharge but there was a small, significant reduction in scores. There was no interaction between time and Autism Spectrum Quotient, short version scores on clinical symptom change. In anorexia nervosa, autism spectrum disorder symptoms appear to be associated with a more severe clinical presentation on admission to inpatient care. Autism spectrum disorder symptoms as assessed by self-report measures may be exacerbated by other mental health psychopathology, which warrants further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Tchanturia
- King’s College London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
- Ilia State University, Georgia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Kinnaird E, Norton C, Tchanturia K. Clinicians' views on working with anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder comorbidity: a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:292. [PMID: 28797223 PMCID: PMC5553805 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1455-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) form a relatively common comorbidity, with poorer illness outcomes and poorer responses to treatments for AN compared to individuals without ASD. However, the treatment of this comorbidity remains poorly understood: no research to date has examined how clinicians currently approach treating AN/ASD. This study aimed to explore the experiences of clinicians working with comorbid AN/ASD using qualitative methods in order to identify areas for future improvement. METHODS Interviews with individual clinicians (n = 9) were carried out and explored using thematic analysis. RESULTS The findings suggest that many clinicians lack confidence in treating this comorbidity, which requires specific changes to treatment to accommodate the issues raised by comorbid ASD. At present, any adaptations to treatment are based on the previous experience of individual clinicians, rather than representing a systematic approach. CONCLUSIONS Further research is needed to empirically assess potential treatment modifications for this group and to establish guidelines for best clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kinnaird
- 0000 0001 2322 6764grid.13097.3cKing’s College London, London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK
| | - Caroline Norton
- 0000 0000 9439 0839grid.37640.36Eating Disorders National Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- King's College London, London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK. .,Eating Disorders National Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. .,Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. .,PO59, King's College London, IoPPN, Psychological Medicine, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is growing interest in the relationship between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review aimed to synthesise the most recent research on this topic to identify gaps in current knowledge, directions for future research and reflect on implications for treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Eight studies assessing the presence of ASD in AN were identified in the literature along with three studies examining the impact of symptoms of ASD on treatment outcome. Research with young people and using parental-report measures suggest lower rates of co-morbidity than previous adult studies. CONCLUSIONS The wide range of diagnostic tools, methodologies and populations studied make it difficult to determine the prevalence of ASD in AN. Despite this, studies consistently report over-representation of symptoms of ASD in AN. Co-morbid AN and ASD may require more intensive treatment or specifically tailored interventions. Future longitudinal research and female-specific diagnostic tools would help elucidate the relationship between these two disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather Westwood
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Kate Tchanturia
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
- South London and Maudsley NHS Trust National Eating Disorders Service, Psychological Medicine Clinical Academic Group, London, UK.
- Department of Psychology, Illia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bentz M, Guldberg J, Vangkilde S, Pedersen T, Plessen KJ, Jepsen JRM. Heightened Olfactory Sensitivity in Young Females with Recent-Onset Anorexia Nervosa and Recovered Individuals. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169183. [PMID: 28060877 PMCID: PMC5218546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Olfaction may be related to food restriction and weight loss. However, reports regarding olfactory function in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) have been inconclusive. Objective Characterize olfactory sensitivity and identification in female adolescents and young adults with first-episode AN and young females recovered from AN. Methods We used the Sniffin’ Sticks Odor Threshold Test and Odor Identification Test to assess 43 participants with first-episode AN, 27 recovered participants, and 39 control participants. Participants completed the Importance of Olfaction questionnaire, the Beck Youth Inventory and the Eating Disorder Inventory. We also conducted a psychiatric diagnostic interview and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule with participants. Results Both clinical groups showed heightened olfactory sensitivity. After excluding participants with depression, participants with first-episode AN identified more odors than recovered participants. Conclusion Heightened olfactory sensitivity in AN may be independent of clinical status, whereas only individuals with current AN and without depression show more accurate odor identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Johanne Guldberg
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Signe Vangkilde
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tine Pedersen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Moellegaard Jepsen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Lundbeck Foundation Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Bentz M, Jepsen JRM, Kjaersdam Telléus G, Moslet U, Pedersen T, Bulik CM, Plessen KJ. Neurocognitive functions and social functioning in young females with recent-onset anorexia nervosa and recovered individuals. J Eat Disord 2017; 5:5. [PMID: 28261479 PMCID: PMC5327534 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-017-0137-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) or recovered from AN display impairments of social function. To date, however, it is not clear whether they differ from controls with respect to neurocognitive performance and whether those functions contribute to the compromised social function observed in individuals with AN. METHODS We included 43 young females with first-episode AN, 28 individuals recovered from adolescent-onset AN, and 41 control individuals (14-22 yr), all without comorbid autism spectrum disorder. We compared the performance of participants across groups in seven neurocognitive functions relevant to social functioning: set-shifting, local processing, processing speed, working memory, sustained attention, verbal memory, and verbal abstraction. Further, we tested the association between neurocognitive function and social function, measured by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), with an ordinal logistic regression model. RESULTS First, participants did not differ on any neurocognitive function across groups. Second, only the neurocognitive function "verbal memory" was significantly associated with social function. Higher performance in verbal memory was associated with lower odds of impaired social function. Diagnostic group remained a significant factor, but the absence of an interaction between group and neurocognitive performance indicated that the association between verbal memory and social function was independent of group membership. CONCLUSION Young individuals with AN and those recovered from AN did not differ from controls with respect to neurocognitive performance. Verbal memory was associated with social function in all groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mette Bentz
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Bispebjerg Bakke 30, 2400 København NV, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Richardt Moellegaard Jepsen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Bispebjerg Bakke 30, 2400 København NV, Denmark.,Lundbeck Foundation Center for Clinical Intervention and Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CINS) and Center for Neuropsychiatric Schizophrenia Research (CNSR), Psychiatric Center Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Gry Kjaersdam Telléus
- Unit for Psychiatric Research, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ulla Moslet
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Bispebjerg Bakke 30, 2400 København NV, Denmark
| | - Tine Pedersen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Bispebjerg Bakke 30, 2400 København NV, Denmark.,Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Jessica Plessen
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Bispebjerg Bakke 30, 2400 København NV, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|