PLoS ONE (Jan 2012)

Executive functions profile in extreme eating/weight conditions: from anorexia nervosa to obesity.

  • Ana B Fagundo,
  • Rafael de la Torre,
  • Susana Jiménez-Murcia,
  • Zaida Agüera,
  • Roser Granero,
  • Salomé Tárrega,
  • Cristina Botella,
  • Rosa Baños,
  • Jose M Fernández-Real,
  • Roser Rodríguez,
  • Laura Forcano,
  • Gema Frühbeck,
  • Javier Gómez-Ambrosi,
  • Francisco J Tinahones,
  • Jose C Fernández-García,
  • Felipe F Casanueva,
  • Fernando Fernández-Aranda

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043382
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 8
p. e43382

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundExtreme weight conditions (EWC) groups along a continuum may share some biological risk factors and intermediate neurocognitive phenotypes. A core cognitive trait in EWC appears to be executive dysfunction, with a focus on decision making, response inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Differences between individuals in these areas are likely to contribute to the differences in vulnerability to EWC. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there is a common pattern of executive dysfunction in EWC while comparing anorexia nervosa patients (AN), obese subjects (OB) and healthy eating/weight controls (HC).MethodsThirty five AN patients, fifty two OB and one hundred thirty seven HC were compared using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST); Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT); and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). All participants were female, aged between 18 and 60 years.ResultsThere was a significant difference in IGT score (F(1.79); pConclusionsThese findings suggest that EWC subjects (namely AN and OB) have similar dysfunctional executive profile that may play a role in the development and maintenance of such disorders.