ABSTRACT
The records of 100 patients with anorexia nervosa were reviewed. Neurologic complications were present in 47 patients. Neuromuscular abnormalities were most common and were present in 45% of patients. Generalized muscle weakness was detected in 43% of patients and peripheral neuropathies in 13%. Less common neurologic complications included headaches (6%), seizures (5%), syncope in the absence of orthostatic hypotension (4%), diplopia (4%), and movement disorders (2%). Neurologic problems due to chronic deficiency diseases were rare; only one patient had symptoms directly attributable to a vitamin B12 deficiency and none had evidence of Wernicke's encephalopathy. In most patients, the neurologic complications were reversed completely after correction of nutritional deficiencies and fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
