A debate on current eating disorder diagnoses in light of neurobiological findings: is it time for a spectrum model?

• Main Authors: Brooks Samantha, Rask-Andersen Mathias, Benedict Christian, Schiöth Helgi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-07-01
• Series: BMC Psychiatry
• Subjects: DSM; Anorexia; Bulimia; Binge-eating; Genetic; fMRI
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/12/76

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sixty percent of eating disorders do not meet criteria for anorexia- or bulimia nervosa, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version 4 (DSM-IV). Instead they are diagnosed as ‘eating disorders not otherwise specified’ (EDNOS). Discrepancies between criteria and clinical reality currently hampering eating disorder diagnoses in the DSM-IV will be addressed by the forthcoming DSM-V. However, future diagnoses for eating disorders will rely on current advances in the fields of neuroimaging and genetics for classification of symptoms that will ultimately improve treatment.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Here we debate the classification issues, and discuss how brain imaging and genetic discoveries might be interwoven into a model of eating disorders to provide better classification and treatment. The debate concerns: a) current issues in the classification of eating disorders in the DSM-IV, b) changes proposed for DSM-V, c) neuroimaging eating disorder research and d) genetic eating disorder research.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>We outline a novel evidence-based ‘impulse control’ spectrum model of eating disorders. A model of eating disorders is proposed that will aid future diagnosis of symptoms, coinciding with contemporary suggestions by clinicians and the proposed changes due to be published in the DSM-V.</p>