Objective
Finding medication to support treatment of anorexia nervosa has been difficult. Neuroscience‐based approaches may help in this effort. Recent brain imaging studies in adults and adolescents with anorexia nervosa suggest that dopamine‐related reward circuits are hypersensitive and could provide a treatment target.
Methods
Here, we present a retrospective chart review of 106 adolescents with anorexia nervosa some of whom were treated with the dopamine D2 receptor partial agonist aripiprazole during treatment in a specialized eating disorder program.
Results
The results show that aripiprazole treatment was associated with greater increase in body mass index (BMI) during treatment.
Discussion
The use of dopamine receptor agonists may support treatment success in anorexia nervosa and should be further investigated.