The Cognitive Profile in Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa and the Relationship With Autism and ADHD: A Pilot Study

Objective: We aimed to examine the cognitive profile in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) and its association with traits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD. In addition, resemblance in the cognitive profile between youths with AN and their parents was explored. Methods: Adolescent females with acute AN (n = 20) and a healthy comparison group (n = 28) completed neuropsychological tasks of set-shifting (Trail making test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) and central coherence (Rey Complex Figures Task, Group Embedded Figures Test, object assembly subtest). In the AN group, mothers and fathers (n = 31) also completed the neuropsychological tasks. Traits of ASD and ADHD were assessed. The AN group was reassessed after weight gain. Results: Weight-restored AN adolescents scored higher on the Group Embedded Figures Test than a comparison group (p < 0.001). No other set-shifting and central coherence differences were found across groups. A father-child correlation emerged in the object assembly subtest (r = 0.53, p = 0.035). ASD and ADHD traits were common in the AN group and not only related to starvation. No associations were found between neuropsychological deficits and traits of ASD and ADHD. Conclusions: Scant support was found for weaker central coherence in weight-recovered adolescents with AN. Set-shifting impairments could not be observed in young females with acute AN or after weight recovery.