Eating Disorders · Texas behavioral health news
Theta burst stimulation of extrastriate body area for body perception in anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial - Nature
Eating Disorders (Google News) · July 1, 2026
In plain language
People with anorexia nervosa often experience a distorted body image, where they perceive their physical size differently than it actually is. Researchers recently tested a new treatment using theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to target a specific part of the brain involved in body perception. Patients who received this brain stimulation along with behavioral training showed faster and more lasting improvements in their body image compared to those receiving standard care. This approach may help the brain better process physical sensations and visual information to create a more accurate self-image.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Brain stimulation targeting the extrastriate body area can help correct distorted body perception in people with anorexia.
- Patients receiving the active TMS treatment showed significant body image improvements that lasted at least six months.
- The treatment combined magnetic brain stimulation with specific body perception training for better results.
- Active stimulation helped shift brain activity patterns to more closely resemble those of healthy individuals.
- This study suggests that personalized brain-based interventions could be more effective than traditional one-size-fits-all treatments.
Theta burst stimulation of extrastriate body area for body perception in anorexia nervosa: a randomized controlled trial Nature
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