EFFECTS OF THE OPIATE ANTAGONIST, NALTREXONE, ON BINGING ANTECEDENTS AND PLASMA BETA-ENDORPHIN CONCENTRATIONS

The effects of the opiate receptor antagonist, naltrexone, were examin ed on antecedent thoughts of binging and plasma beta-endorphin concent rations in an adolescent girl who was hospitalized with bulimia nervos a. Significant decreases in urge to binge were obtained during naltrex one administration compared with control sessions. Baseline plasma bet a-endorphin concentrations for the bulimic adolescent were not differe nt from those of nonbulimic controls, but plasma beta-endorphins incre ased significantly during naltrexone administration. After discharge f rom the hospital, the adolescent refused to take naltrexone because sh e felt she could not deal with her life without the ''pleasure of bing ing.'' The case points to the interplay of biological and psychologica l factors in bulimia nervosa.