Eating cognitions, emotions and behaviour under treatment with second generation antipsychotics: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Weight gain and metabolic disturbances are frequent in people treated with second generation antipsychotics (SGA). We aimed to investigate the effect of SGAs on eating behaviors, cognitions and emotions, as a possible contributor to this adverse effect. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original articles measuring outcomes relating to eating cognitions, behaviours and emotions, during treatment with SGAs were included in this review. A total of 92 papers with 11,274 participants were included from three scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo). Results were synthesized descriptively except for the continuous data where meta-analyses were performed and for the binary data where odds ratios were calculated. Hunger was increased in participants treated with SGAs with an odds ratio for appetite increase of 1.51 (95% CI [1.04, 1.97]; z = 6.40; p < 0.001). Compared to controls, our results showed that craving for fat and carbohydrates are the highest among other craving subscales. There was a small increase in dietary disinhibition (SMD = 0.40) and restrained eating (SMD = 0.43) in participants treated with SGAs compared to controls and substantial heterogeneity across studies reporting these eating traits. There were few studies examining other eating-related outcomes such as food addiction, satiety, fullness, caloric intake and dietary quality and habits. Understanding the mechanisms associated with appetite and eating-related psychopathology changes in patients treated with antipsychotics is needed to reliably inform the development of effective preventative strategies.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, gut microbiome, probiotics and prebiotics in anorexia nervosa: A review of mechanistic rationale and clinical evidence.

Recent research has revealed the pivotal role that the gut microbiota might play in psychiatric disorders. In anorexia nervosa (AN), the gut microbiota may be involved in pathophysiology as well as in the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms commonly experienced. This review collates evidence for the potential role of gut microbiota in AN, including modulation of the immune system, the gut-brain axis and GI function. We examined studies comparing gut microbiota in AN with healthy controls as well as those looking at modifications in gut microbiota with nutritional treatment. Changes in energy intake and nutritional composition influence gut microbiota and may play a role in the evolution of the gut microbial picture in AN. Additionally, some evidence indicates that pre-morbid gut microbiota may influence risk of developing AN. There appear to be similarities in gut microbial composition, mechanisms of interaction and GI symptoms experienced in AN and other GI disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and functional GI disorders. Probiotics and prebiotics have been studied in these disorders showing therapeutic effects of probiotics in some cases. Additionally, some evidence exists for the therapeutic benefits of probiotics in depression and anxiety, commonly seen as co-morbidities in AN. Moreover, preliminary evidence for the use of probiotics in AN has shown positive effects on immune modulation. Based on these findings, we discuss the potential therapeutic role for probiotics in ameliorating symptoms in AN.

A description of virtual skills workshops for supporters of loved ones with eating disorders: Indicators of benefit and acceptability, clinical reflections and consideration of neurodiversity.

OBJECTIVE: Providing information and support to those supporting a loved one with an eating disorder is a key part of evidence-based service provision. We report on how we took our workshops for supporters online during the Covid-19 Pandemic when country-side physical distancing restrictions meant we were unable to work face to face. METHODS: We outline the structure of an eight-session 2-h workshop series delivered fortnightly facilitated by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers and experts by experience. We use a repeated-measures design to understand the possible benefits of the workshops on supporter skills (n = 76). RESULTS: Measured using the Caregiver Skills Scale, we observed small-sized improvements in the overall skills (D = 0.43) of n = 17 supporters who provided data at the end of the intervention. Supporters gave largely positive feedback on the virtual format. They particularly liked the opportunity to interact with other supporters. As facilitators, we overcome our initial anxiety around workshop delivery using a new platform and reflected that having more time to cover key information and for skills practice over a period of 16 weeks offered opportunities to develop and reflect on new skill together as a group. We were also able to work with larger groups of supporters, as several barriers to access were removed. CONCLUSIONS: As the workshops reached a larger number of supporters than through face to face delivery and were of benefit to those who reported on their skills, we plan to continue offering workshops to supporters online in future.

Novel approaches to tackling emotional loss of control of eating across the weight spectrum.

Emotional overeating is a process that is particularly relevant to people within the binge spectrum of eating disorders. Approximately a third of people with overweight share this phenotype. In addition, this behaviour may occur in neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and other psychiatric disorders. The biopsychosocial underpinnings of emotional eating include a genetic vulnerability to a higher weight and various cognitive and emotional traits. The environment also plays a key role. For example, the commodification of food and beauty and exposure to weight stigma, unpleasant eating experiences and general adversity can set the scene. The majority of people with binge-eating disorder do not seek treatment (perhaps related to internalised stigma and shame). Hence opportunities for early intervention and secondary prevention are lost. Most guidelines for binge-eating disorder (based on the limited available research) recommend forms of cognitive psychotherapies and antidepressants. However, novel treatments that target underlying mechanisms are in development. These include interventions to improve emotional regulation and inhibitory control using neuromodulation and/or brain training. New technologies have been applied to talking therapies, including apps which can offer 'just-in-time interventions' or virtual reality or avatar work which can deliver more personalised interventions using complex scenarios. Drugs used for the treatment of ADHD, psychiatric and metabolic disorders may have the potential to be repurposed for binge-eating disorder. Thus, this is an area of rapid change with novel solutions being applied to this problem.