Pathophysiological and neuroendocrine aspects of

night eating syndrome.

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ChapterDatabase: APA PsycInfo

Ungredda, Tatiana Gluck, Marci E. Geliebter, Allan

Citation
Ungredda, T., Gluck, M. E., & Geliebter, A. (2012). Pathophysiological and neuroendocrine aspects
of night eating syndrome. In J. D. Lundgren, K. C. Allison, & A. J. Stunkard (Eds.), Night eating
syndrome: Research, assessment, and treatment (pp. 27–39). The Guilford Press.

Abstract
Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder characterized most recently by 25% or more of
one's daily energy intake after the evening meal and/or waking up during sleep (with some
awareness, rather than in a state of sleep) to eat at least two times per week (Allison et al., 2010).
NES is usually accompanied by trouble sleeping. The causes of night eating remain largely
unknown, although recent research suggests that biological factors contribute to the development
and maintenance of the disorder. Some studies have begun exploring potential treatments based on
these biological aspects (Friedman, Even, Dardennes, & Guelfi, 2002; O'Reardon et al., 2006;
O'Reardon, Stunkard, & Allison, 2004; Rosenhagen, Uhr, Schiissler, & Steiger, 2005; Spaggiari,
Granella, Parrino, Marchesi, Melli, et al, 1994). NES, therefore, appears to involve desynchronization
between the circadian rhythms of eating and sleep, resulting in a delayed pattern of eating
(O'Reardon, Ringel, et al., 2004). The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus helps
orchestrate the schedule for sleep, eating, and endocrine activity, based on the circadian day-night
cycle. It receives information through the optic chiasm about light signals to the eye and then
transmits them to peripheral oscillators located in various organs to synchronize central and
peripheral hormone action related to sleep and eating. A number of articles on NES have explored
these circadian rhythms and the neuroendocrine system. Although there is significant overlap in the
circadian and neuroendocrine systems, circadian rhythm will be reviewed in Chapter 4 (Lundgren,
Boston, & Noble), and neuroendocrine features of NES will be reviewed in this chapter. (PsycINFO
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