Asymmetric Cognitive Function in Anorexia Nervosa

Three anorexics, one at normal weight, were examined, with a neuropsychological battery including the Halstead-Reitan tests. Their data were contrasted with that of 24 psychiatric controls matched for age, sex and IQ. Individually and as a group the anorexics showed above average verbal/academic scores and impaired spatial skills, whereas visual-motor and problem solving skills were equivalent to controls. Somatosensory recognition was impaired bilaterally in all three patients, and motor skills were low in the two emaciated patients. Other sensory tests and intermanual comparisons of sensory and motor skills were not impaired relative to controls. The findings suggest that a spatial reasoning deficit may be a predisposing or maintaining factor in this disorder. High verbal skills, in contrast, may reflect substantial left hemisphere contributions to the anorexic's cognitive style.