Serotonin Transporter Concentrations in Women With a History of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder that is associated with substantial
morbidity and mortality. Despite being dangerously underweight, people with AN believe that
they are overweight, and frequently exhibit symptoms of depression and anxiety. Other
symptoms of AN include the following: resistance to maintaining a healthy body weight; fear
of gaining weight or becoming overweight; and denial of the seriousness of one's current low
body weight. Relapse rates for AN are extremely high. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or
chemical messenger, that affects mood, impulse control, and appetite. A serotonin
transporter is a specialized protein that allows cells to communicate with each other by
using serotonin. Disturbances in the serotonergic system, the network of nerve cells that
uses serotonin as its neurotransmitter, may contribute to the behaviors that are
characteristic of AN. This study will compare women with a history of AN who are now
maintaining a normal weight to healthy women of normal weight in terms of the concentration
of serotonin transporter in their brains.

Participants in this observational study will undergo one positron emission tomography (PET)
scan and one magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Both will be used to measure the
concentration of the serotonin transporter. A radioactive tracer will be used for the PET
scan, and will be administered via an intravenous catheter line. No treatment will be
provided in this study.