Abstract
This review describes new findings regarding the Night Eating Syndrome (NES), a distinct disorder that is precipitated by stress most persons who suffer from it. It is manifested by a delayed circadian rhythm of food intake (evening hyperphagia, nighttime awakenings with ingestions and morning anorexia) with an intact circadian sleep rhythm. It is readily diagnosed by calibrated diagnostic instruments and has been widely reported in the medical literature. NES has genetic determinants and is more prevalent than the traditional eating disorders. New findings suggest that it represents a dysregulation of serotonin function. Thus, SPECT (single-positron-emission computerized tomography) has shown greatly elevated serotonin transporter binding in the midbrain of night eaters. This appears to impair postsynaptic serotonin transmission in areas mediating circadian rhythms and food intake. Restoration of serotonergic function with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) in four clinical trials has resulted in a great decrease in night eating behaviors and significant weight loss among overweight and obese night eaters.
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