This article gives insight into long term changes that can occur in the brain of adolescents and adults suffering from anorexia and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorders (ARFID).
Anorexia can, in the long run, lead to cortical thinning, while ARFID can lead to reduced intracranial volume and grey matter.
If the malnourishment due to anorexia and ARFID is corrected in time, these changes can be reversed.
In my opinion: Anorexia and AFRID can lead to changes in the brain which, if not corrected in time, might lead to slow or just partial recovery.
Questions:
1. How long does it take for these changes to be seen?
Does there come a point where these changes become irreversible?
Do the cerebral changes also affect neurological function?
What is the best treatment approach to take with a case of AFRID?
Kindly read the informative piece and share your thoughts about it. Anyone came across such cases in their OPD? Anorexia or AFRID? How did you deal with it?
Really interesting topic!
From what I’ve read, anorexia and ARFID don’t just affect the body, they can actually change brain structure, like thinning of the cortex or reducing brain volume. The best part is, if proper nutrition is restored early, the brain can heal quite a lot. But if the condition lasts too long, recovery might be slower or incomplete. These changes can also impact memory, concentration, and mood, so early intervention with both medical and psychological support is super important.
Anorexia leads to both gray and white matter loss very soon within weeks of the condition and in case of adolescents, this loss can be reversed within few months of nutritional rehabilitation. Whereas, the process is very slow in case of adults and there’s a higher risk of relapse too, as the symptoms/habits never go away completely. Irreversibility is uncommon in young individuals, but anorexia conditions that were chronic and had persisted for a long time-period (mostly observed in adults), that leads to more brain damage. And in these cases, even if anorexia is under control, certain aspects of mind and other damages can stay irreversible. Besides, cerebral changes in both anorexia and ARFID affect the neurological function. The most effective treatment for ARFID can be designed based upon the patient’s sensory, cognitive as well as behavioral profiles. CBT-AR is mostly used as a psychological intervention here. Sometimes, few medications are used to manage the symptoms, but both anorexia and ARFID being mental health issues, therapy plays a much crucial role.
This article really opened my eyes. I didn’t know anorexia and ARFID could change brain structure like that. It’s scary how malnutrition affects grey matter and cortex thickness. But it’s good to know recovery is possible if treated early. I think therapy like CBT and family support are very important. These disorders need more awareness and timely help. Brain health should never be ignored in eating disorders
As a healthcare student, learning about how anorexia and ARFID affect the brain is eye-opening. These eating disorders don’t just harm the body they change brain structure and function, affecting memory, mood, and decision-making. Lack of proper nutrition can shrink certain brain areas and disturb chemical balance. This shows how deeply our mind and body are linked. Early detection, proper treatment, and nutrition are crucial not only for physical recovery but also for restoring healthy brain function and overall well-being.
Anorexia and ARFID can change brain function within a few months of poor nutrition. These changes can also affect the memory, thinking ability, and other brain functions.
I think the mixed approach of medical care, nutrition support, and counselling. Getting help early gives the best chance for recovery.
What struck me most while reading about this is just how intertwined physical nourishment and brain health are. We often talk about eating disorders in terms of weight or nutrition, but the fact that they can physically alter brain structure, especially in young people, shows how serious and urgent they are to address. The hopeful part is that the brain can recover if the body gets what it needs in time. But it also raises difficult questions like how much time do we have before those changes start to stick, and how do we ensure treatment reaches someone before it’s too late? From what I’ve seen, progress comes fastest when medical care, nutritional rehabilitation, and psychological support all work together and not just to restore weight, but to rebuild a healthy relationship with food. These conditions aren’t just about eating less; they’re about rewiring thought patterns, repairing trust in the body, and supporting the person as a whole.
This post about anorexia and ARFID was indeed informative and insightful. What we usually think as a mere nutritional disorder was actually altering the brain structure and functions. I think early detection and proper treatment, particularly giving attention to the risk of relapses, would help in both the cases. Also, raising awareness and educating the adolescents or parents in the case of younger children, about the consequences of these conditions is highly crucial.
It’s insightful to see how deeply nutrition impacts brain structure and function. The fact that some of these changes can be reversed with timely intervention gives so much hope but also underlines the urgency for early diagnosis and treatment.
Really insightful! Early detection and nutritional rehabilitation seems key here; since timely intervention can prevent or even reverse many of these brain changes.
I’ve heard that certain individuals may get back lost cerebral volume following dietary rehabilitation, but it’s fascinating and quite concerning since the degree of recovery varies among people. Age, gender, along other mental health disorders could also paly a role.
Really informative, Anorexia often causes cortical thinning and loss of brain volume, while ARFID shows reduced gray matter without the same thinning. The good news is many of these changes can improve with proper nutrition so early intervention is key. Makes me wonder: should treatment also include brain and cognitive checks, not just diet and therapy?
