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A Systematic Review of the Effects of Neuromodulation on Eating and Body Weight: Evidence from Human and Animal Studies
Author(s) -
McClelland Jessica,
Bozhilova Natali,
Campbell Iain,
Schmidt Ulrike
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.2256
Subject(s) - eating disorders , neuromodulation , anorexia nervosa , transcranial direct current stimulation , bulimia nervosa , deep brain stimulation , transcranial magnetic stimulation , brain stimulation , psychology , weight loss , vagus nerve stimulation , systematic review , psychological intervention , psychiatry , clinical psychology , medicine , neuroscience , medline , stimulation , obesity , disease , parkinson's disease , vagus nerve , political science , law
Background Eating disorders (ED) are chronic and sometimes deadly illnesses. Existing treatments have limited proven efficacy, especially in the case of adults with anorexia nervosa (AN). Emerging neural models of ED provide a rationale for more targeted, brain‐directed interventions. Aims This systematic review has examined the effects of neuromodulation techniques on eating behaviours and body weight and assessed their potential for therapeutic use in ED. Method All articles in PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Knowledge were considered and screened against a priori inclusion/exclusion criteria. The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) were examined across studies in ED samples, other psychiatric and neurological disorders, and animal models. Results Sixty studies were identified. There is evidence for ED symptom reduction following rTMS and DBS in both AN and bulimia nervosa. Findings from studies of other psychiatric and neurological disorders and from animal studies demonstrate that increases in food intake and body weight can be achieved following DBS and that VNS has potential value as a means of controlling eating and inducing weight loss. Conclusions Neuromodulation tools have potential for reducing ED symptomatology and related behaviours, and for altering food intake and body weight. In response to such findings, and emerging neural models of ED, treatment approaches are highly unlikely to remain ‘brainless’. More research is required to evaluate the potential of neuromodulation procedures for improving long‐term outcomes in ED. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.