Cortisol Levels in Hair in Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
July 2017
in “
PPmP - Psychotherapie · Psychosomatik · Medizinische Psychologie
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TLDR Girls with anorexia nervosa have lower hair cortisol levels, indicating possible hormonal changes.
The study by Föcker M et al. investigated hair cortisol concentrations in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls and psychiatric controls. The findings indicated that girls with anorexia nervosa had significantly lower hair cortisol levels than both control groups. This suggested a potential alteration in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in individuals with anorexia nervosa, which could be associated with the stress response and the pathophysiology of the disorder. The study provided insights into the biological underpinnings of anorexia nervosa, highlighting the importance of considering hormonal factors in its assessment and treatment.
