Inhibitory Control in Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder)

Executive functions are part of the high-level cognitive processes essential to the proper functioning of human cognition. They consist mainly of flexibility, updating and inhibition. Some studies have shown a correlation between executive disorders (impaired executive function) and psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or phobias. These executive disorders are related to dysfunctions of the fronto-striatal loops.

In addition, other studies have investigated the link that may exist between eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia nervosa and executive functioning. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders are eating disorders characterized by a dysfunction in food intake with restriction of food or compulsions as well as strong concerns about the body schema. Concerning the executive functioning, these studies highlight a lack of cognitive flexibility for patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa but also dysfunctions depending on the type of pathology (anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa). These studies also highlight the beneficial effects of cognitive remediation on people with eating disorders.

However, the investigation of the inhibitory control has not yet been specifically studied. Moreover, since eating disorders are structurally different, a comparison between several pathologies would be interesting to consider.

The aim of this study is to determine if a dysfunction of inhibitory control can be highlighted in people with eating disorders. This study would also allow further researches about cognitive remediation suitable for the specific difficulties encountered in these diseases.