What neurotransmitters are linked to changes in psychological and behavioral patterns in eating disorders?

The correct choice identifies serotonin and dopamine as neurotransmitters linked to changes in psychological and behavioral patterns in eating disorders.

Serotonin plays a crucial role in regulating mood, appetite, and impulse control. Its dysregulation is often associated with various eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Research has shown that alterations in serotonin levels can affect eating behaviors and the perception of hunger and satiety, leading to the disordered eating patterns characteristic of these conditions.

Dopamine, on the other hand, is integral to the brain's reward system. It influences motivation, pleasure, and reinforcement of behaviors, including those related to food. Changes in dopamine pathways can impact reward sensitivity, which can contribute to binge eating and the cycle of restriction and bingeing in disorders like bulimia nervosa.

Together, serotonin and dopamine create a neurochemical environment that can significantly affect behavior and psychological states, playing a pivotal role in the symptomatology of eating disorders. Thus, their involvement in both mood regulation and reward processing fundamentally links them to the patterns observed in these disorders.