NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN ANOREXIA-NERVOSA - BEFORE AND AFTER REFEEDING

Neuropsychological measures were administered to 18 patients with anor exia nervosa shortly after admission to hospital and again after subst antial weight gain. These patients were compared with a group of 18 no rmal weight controls, also tested on two occasions, who were matched f or age, sex, and estimated premorbid IQ. At low weight, impairment was evident on tests of attentional-perceptual-motor functions and on tes ts of visuospatial construction and problem-solving. Learning was less affected. Refeeding resulted in significant improvements in performan ce.