AMINO ACIDS, SEROTONIN AND BODY WEIGHT REGULATION

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 神经性厌食症(ANO)是一种严重的精神疾病，可导致患者及其家人的心理社会痛苦，潜在的严重医疗后果，以及相当长时间的死亡。这种疾病最常见于年轻女性，对目前可用的治疗方法往往难以奏效。此外，在延长住院或门诊治疗期间实现的体重恢复通常伴随着进食障碍症状的复发和复发到低体重。目前AN治疗研究的一个主要重点是探索新的干预措施，以稳定恢复并防止体重恢复的患者复发。该项目的重点是在一个稳定的复苏。虽然AN的病因尚不清楚，但中枢神经系统(CNS)中神经递质5-羟色胺调节的改变被认为是导致对身体形状和体重的关注、饮食模式失调、持续焦虑和频繁情绪波动的原因。在AN康复者中也发现了中枢5-羟色胺调节的异常，反映在脑脊液中5-羟色胺代谢物5-HIAA水平的升高，PET成像研究中5-羟色胺受体功能的改变，以及服用5-羟色胺活性药物后行为反应的改变。该项目采用随机、安慰剂对照、双盲交叉设计，评估支链氨基酸混合物在AN康复患者中的潜在治疗效果。据推测，这种干预，通过降低中枢神经系统色氨酸水平来减少5-羟色胺的合成，将减轻残留的进食障碍症状。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disorder resulting in psychosocial distress for patients and their families, potentially severe medical consequences, and substantial long-term mortality. Occuring most commonly in young women, the disorder is frequently refractory to currently available treatments. Moreover, weight restoration achieved during extended inpatient or outpatient treatment is often followed by recurrence of eating disorder symptoms and relapse to low weight. A major emphasis in current therapeutic research in AN is exploration of new interventions to stabilize recovery and prevent relapse in patients who have achieved weight restoration. This project focuses on stabilization of recovery in AN. Although the etiology of AN is unknown, altered regulation of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the central nervous system (CNS) is thought to contribute to preoccupation with body shape and weight, dysregulated eating patterns, persistent anxiety, and frequent mood fluctuations. Abnormalities in CNS serotonin regulation have also been identified in individuals who have recovered from AN, as reflected in elevated levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid, alterations in serotonin receptor function in PET imaging studies and altered behavioral responses following administration of serotonin-active drugs. This project uses a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover design to assess the potential therapeutic effects of a mixture of branched-chain amino acids in individuals who have recovered from AN. It is hypothesized this intervention, by decreasing serotonin synthesis through lowered CNS tryptophan levels, will diminish residual eating disorder symptoms.