Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and set-shifting in currently ill and recovered anorexia nervosa (AN) patients.

Interesting site for science breakthroughs and interesting progress on BNDF as a biomarker:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and set-shifting in currently ill and recovered anorexia nervosa (AN) patients.

"BDNF may emerge as a useful biomarker of AN and of recovery from AN"

Comments

  1. The article also says, "It is plausible that BDNF is related more to BMI or the starvation state than to AN per se." Maybe the long term starvation altered the patients' BDNF levels and not the other way around. All of those studies showing that *gasp* ED patients or recovered ED patients have differences in their brains don't really prove anything. The brain differences could be a result of long term malunutrition rather than a "brain disease". It doesn't prove that ED is just a genetic disease. You're just interpreting the article in a way that conveniently fits in with your worldview.

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  2. Well, Ja, usually I am just beating that boring drum about this being a brain disorder - that is a point I will keep drumming until it is taken up enough by others - but in this case I'm interested in biomarkers for nutritional healing. Too often, the press for health ends at some low point of nutrition and weight restoration. We need biomarkers to better gauge when a person has reached physical wellness so we can concentrate on the mental recovery that can then commence.

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  3. Yes, as Ja said, it seems to be related to low BMI.
    The fact that it rectifies itself when patient is of normal weight shows that it cannot be caused by genetic factors.

    I accept it could be helpful in proving where someone is in recovery, physically (surely a scale would do this), but would point out that the big error everyone makes is to concentrate on the weight rather than the mental state and happiness of the individual.

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  4. Oh, I see what you were trying to say. I thought you were beating the brain disease drum again. I agree that BDNF may be a useful marker for nutritional status, but not as proof of the brain disease hypothesis.

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  5. Actually, I think the scale is part of the problem - it doesn't work very well in predicting whether an individual is at a body composition and brain health that will allow clear thinking and relief from the mental symptoms.

    We need better biomarkers to tell us when someone has reached a healthy metabolism.

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