PROLONGED P300 LATENCY IN EATING DISORDERS

This study investigated event-related potential (ERP) indices of infor mation-processing in eating disorders. ERPs during an auditory two-ton e discrimination task were recorded at midline at 3 sites in 28 anorex ic patients, 12 low-weight bulimic patients (body mass index (BMI) und er 17.5), 12 normal-weight bulimic patients (BMI over 17.5), and 40 co ntrol subjects. The P300 latency was significantly prolonged at all si tes in both bulimic groups compared with that in controls, and at fron tal and central electrode sites in anorexics. In contrast, the P300 am plitude did not differ between these groups at any site. The prolonged P300 latency in eating disorders suggests a task-related slowing of p erceptual decisions that reflects their cognitive impairment.