TITLE:
A neuropsychological evaluation of orthorexia nervosa
AUTHORS:
Nancy S. Koven, Rina Senbonmatsu
KEYWORDS:
Orthorexia Nervosa; Neuropsychology; Executive Function; Anorexia Nervosa; Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.3 No.2,
April
10,
2013
ABSTRACT: Orthorexia
nervosa (ON) describes a fixation for proper nutrition and healthy foods that
leads to die-tary restrictions and nutritional deficiencies over time. Given
symptom overlap among ON, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and anorexia
nervosa (AN), this study examines whether ON has a unique neuropsychological
profile. Participants completed symptom checklists and neuropsychological tests
chosen for their sensitivity to AN and OCD. Results showed that, across the
full sample, ON is independently associated with self-reported weaknesses in Set-Shifting,
Emotional Control, Self-Monitoring, and Working Memory. After controlling for
AN and OCD variables, high- and low-ON groups differed in total correct trials
on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. These areas of executive functioning, which
are explained in the context of ON symptomatology, represent what would be
considered the neuropsychological overlap among OCD and AN profiles.