This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness which affects approximately 1% of the population. The disease typically begins in early adolescence associated with a period of highly restrictive dieting and predominately is found in females. The standard of care for AN remains primarily behavioral, with structured nutrition guidelines and supervision, often in an inpatient program, of all intake to prevent restriction of calories. Individual, family and group therapy are usually part of treatment. AN often becomes severe and chronic despite these interventions (25-33% develop chronic disease) and treatment usually extends over a minimum of 6 months up to several years. Current outcome studies suggest that only 30% of patients reach full recovery from the disease. There are no medications which have shown efficacy in the treatment of AN. Atypical neuroleptics (such as risperidone and olanzapine) have become widely used in this population despite the lack of double blind studies demonstrating efficacy. This research study seeks to determine if risperidone is effective in treating the core symptoms of AN, specifically body image distortion, irrational fears about food and weight, and the associated weight loss and low body weight.
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