ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1009-6619
Current Organisations
Orygen
,
Austin Hospital
,
Swinburne University of Technology
,
University of Melbourne
,
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
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Publications
A mental health research crisis in Australia.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-12-2022
Anorexia nervosa or starvation?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-09-2018
DOI: 10.1111/EJN.14158
Eating and exercise behaviors in eating disorders and the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: Initial results from the COLLATE project
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.23317
Cognitive flexibility and the risk of anorexia nervosa: An investigation using self-report and neurocognitive assessments
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JPSYCHIRES.2022.05.043
Abstract: Impaired cognitive flexibility has been suggested as a risk factor for the development of anorexia nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to 1) investigate cognitive flexibility in people at various levels of risk of AN and 2) compare people with a history of AN to people at different levels of risk of AN in cognitive flexibility. The s le comprised of 262 community participants (79% female) and 36 participants with a lifetime diagnosis of AN (97.2% female) aged between 18 and 64 years old. Participants completed self-report (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale short-form version, the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire, the Neuroticism Scale, and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory) and neurocognitive (the Trail Making Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test) assessments online to evaluate eating disorder symptoms, depression, neuroticism, and cognitive flexibility. Using a cluster analysis, participants were allocated into low-, medium-, and high-risk of AN groups (n = 88, 128, 46, and 36 respectively). Although high-risk participants self-reported significantly poorer cognitive flexibility than the other risk groups, performance on the neurocognitive tasks was similar across groups. Further, participants with lifetime AN reported significantly poorer cognitive flexibility than the low-risk group. People at high-risk of AN may perceive themselves to have poorer cognitive flexibility compared to those at a lower risk of AN. These results have implications for early identification of people at high-risk of AN.
Understanding self-report and neurocognitive assessments of cognitive flexibility in people with and without lifetime anorexia nervosa
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 10-02-2022
Refeeding is not a treatment for the underlying symptoms of anorexia nervosa
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 22-05-2020
White matter microstructure in anorexia nervosa
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-07-2018
DOI: 10.1002/HBM.24279
Advances in the Aetiology and Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 14-10-2022
DOI: 10.3390/JCM11206068
Abstract: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychiatric disorder [...]
Investigating differences in cognitive flexibility, clinical perfectionism, and eating disorder-specific rumination across anorexia nervosa illness states
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-2023
Anorexia nervosa, weight restoration and biological siblings: Differences and similarities in clinical characteristics
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-02-2022
DOI: 10.1177/10398562211067194
Abstract: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with clinical characteristics including eating disorder symptomatology, negative mood states, perfectionism and cognitive inflexibility. Whether these characteristics differ across illness stages, and are also present in first-degree relatives, demonstrating heritability, is unclear. The aim of this research was to compare current AN (c-AN), weight-restored AN (wr-AN), sisters of in iduals with AN (AN-sis) and healthy controls (HC) on these measures. Eighty participants ( n = 20/group) completed the study. Eating disorder symptomatology was similar among c-AN and wr-AN groups, whereas the AN-sis did not differ from either wr-AN or HC. Anxiety was significantly higher in c-AN, wr-AN and AN-sis groups, relative to HC. Increased perfectionism was identified in the c-AN and wr-AN groups compared to AN-sis and HC on the ‘concern over mistakes’, ‘personal standards’ and ‘doubt and actions’ subscales of the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Group differences were not apparent on cognitive flexibility. These findings suggest that anxiety may be a risk factor or linked to genetic susceptibility for AN, as well as specific aspects of perfectionism that relate to self-imposed standards.
Can Cognitive Flexibility and Clinical Perfectionism Be Used to Identify People with Anorexia Nervosa?
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-03-2022
DOI: 10.3390/JCM11071954
Abstract: Poor cognitive flexibility and perfectionism are common features in anorexia nervosa (AN). The current study aimed to investigate cognitive flexibility and clinical perfectionism as potential predictors of AN. Twenty women with a current diagnosis of AN (M age = 28.25, SD = 7.62) and 170 community participants with no lifetime history of an eating disorder (M age = 29.23, SD = 9.88) took part in an online cross-sectional study that included self-report questionnaires of cognitive flexibility and clinical perfectionism. It was found that compared to the community s le, women with AN self-reported significantly poorer cognitive flexibility and significantly greater clinical perfectionism. In a regression model, clinical perfectionism (but not self-reported cognitive flexibility) significantly predicted group membership. The specificity and sensitivity of the model were high. These preliminary findings indicate that clinical perfectionism may represent a key feature of AN and may accurately discriminate between participants with and without AN, though more research is required.
An Overlooked Brain Region in the Aetiology of Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Behaviourally Driven Neuroimaging Analysis
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2018
High‐definition transcranial direct current stimulation in anorexia nervosa: A pilot study
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-08-2019
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.23146
Abstract: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric condition often associated with poor outcomes. Biologically informed treatments for AN, such as brain stimulation, are lacking, in part due to the unclear nature of the neurobiological contributions to the illness. However, recent research has suggested a specific neurobiological target for the treatment of AN, namely stimulation of the inferior parietal lobe (IPL). The aim of this study was to stimulate-noninvasively-the left IPL in in iduals with AN using high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS). Twenty participants will be randomized to receive 10 daily sessions of HD-tDCS or sham HD-tDCS (placebo). Assessments will be carried out at baseline and end point, as well as 4- and 12-week follow-ups. This pilot investigation will primarily determine the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention.
An overview of current mental health in the general population of Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the COLLATE project
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 18-07-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.16.20155887
Abstract: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) poses significant mental health challenges globally however, to date, there is limited community level data. This study reports on the first wave of data from the COLLATE project (COvid-19 and you: mentaL heaLth in AusTralia now survEy), an ongoing study aimed at understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of Australians. This paper addresses prevailing primary concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, current levels of negative emotions and risk factors predicting these negative emotions. On April 1st to 4th 2020, 5158 adult members of the Australian general public completed an online survey. Participants ranked their top ten current primary concerns about COVID-19, and completed standardized measures to ascertain levels of negative emotions (specifically, depression, anxiety and stress). Socio-demographic information was also collected and used in the assessment of risk factors. The top three primary concerns were all related to the health and well-being of family and loved ones. As expected, levels of negative emotion were exceptionally high. Modelling of predictors of negative emotions established several risk factors related to demographic variables, personal vulnerabilities, financial stresses, and social distancing experiences particularly being young, being female, or having a mental illness diagnosis. The data provides important characterization of the current mental health of Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critically, it appears that specific groups in the Australian community may need special attention to ensure their mental health is protected during these difficult times. The data further suggests the need for immediate action to combat high levels of psychological distress, along with the exacerbation of mental health conditions, in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. These results may provide some direction for international researchers hoping to characterize similar issues in other countries.
Eye movements in anorexia nervosa: State or trait markers?
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 27-07-2020
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.23345
A biopsychosocial proposal to progress the field of anorexia nervosa
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 17-05-2019
Challenges and priorities for researching the gut microbiota in individuals living with anorexia nervosa
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-08-2023
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.24033
Abstract: The gut microbiota is implicated in several symptoms and biological pathways relevant to anorexia nervosa (AN). Investigations into the role of the gut microbiota in AN are growing, with a specific interest in the changes that occur in response to treatment. Findings suggest that microbial species may be associated with some of the symptoms common in AN, such as depression and gastrointestinal disturbances (GID). Therefore, researchers believe the gut microbiota may have therapeutic relevance. Whilst research in this field is rapidly expanding, the unique considerations relevant to conducting gut microbiota research in in iduals with AN must be addressed. We provide an overview of the published literature investigating the relationship between the gut microbiota and symptoms and behaviors present in AN, discuss important challenges in gut microbiota research, and offer recommendations for addressing these. We conclude by summarizing research design priorities for the field to move forward. Several ways exist to reduce participant burden and accommodate challenges when researching the gut microbiota in in iduals with AN. Recommendations from this article are foreseen to encourage scientific rigor and thoughtful protocol planning for microbiota research in AN, including ways to reduce participant burden. Employing such methods will contribute to a better understanding of the role of the gut microbiota in AN pathophysiology and treatment. The field of gut microbiota research is rapidly expanding, including the role of the gut microbiota in anorexia nervosa. Thoughtful planning of future research will ensure appropriate data collection for meaningful interpretation while providing a positive experience for the participant. We present current challenges, recommendations for research design and priorities to facilitate the advancement of research in this field.
A biomarker and endophenotype for anorexia nervosa?
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-09-2021
DOI: 10.1177/00048674211047189
Abstract: Recent research has suggested that a type of atypical eye movement, called square wave jerks, together with anxiety, may distinguish in iduals with anorexia nervosa from those without anorexia nervosa and may represent a biomarker and endophenotype for the illness. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of this proposed marker in in iduals currently with anorexia nervosa relative to healthy controls, and to identify the state independence and heritability of this putative marker by exploring whether it also exists in in iduals who are weight-restored from anorexia nervosa and first-degree relatives (i.e. sisters of people with anorexia nervosa). Data from 80 female participants (20/group: current anorexia nervosa, weight-restored from anorexia nervosa, sisters of people with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls) were analysed. Square wave jerk rate was acquired during a fixation task, and anxiety was measured with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Current anorexia nervosa, weight-restored from anorexia nervosa and sisters of people with anorexia nervosa groups made significantly more square wave jerks than healthy controls, but did not differ from one another. Square wave jerk rate and anxiety were found to discriminate groups with exceptionally high accuracy (current anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 92.5% weight-restored from anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 77.5% sisters of people with anorexia nervosa vs healthy control = 77.5% p .001). The combination of square wave jerk rate and anxiety was found to be a promising two-element marker for anorexia nervosa, and has the potential to be used as a biomarker or endophenotype to identify people at risk of anorexia nervosa and inform future treatments.
Differences in regional grey matter volumes in currently ill patients with anorexia nervosa
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1111/EJN.13793
Abstract: Neurobiological findings in anorexia nervosa (AN) are inconsistent, including differences in regional grey matter volumes. Methodological limitations often contribute to the inconsistencies reported. The aim of this study was to improve on these methodologies by utilising voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis with the use of diffeomorphic anatomic registration through an exponentiated lie algebra algorithm (DARTEL), in a relatively large group of in iduals with AN. Twenty-six in iduals with AN and 27 healthy controls underwent a T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. AN participants were found to have reduced grey matter volumes in a number of areas including regions of the basal ganglia (including the ventral striatum), and parietal and temporal cortices. Body mass index (BMI) and global scores on the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) were also found to correlate with grey matter volumes in a region of the brainstem (including the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area) in AN, and predicted 56% of the variance in grey matter volumes in this area. The brain regions associated with grey matter reductions in AN are consistent with regions responsible for cognitive deficits associated with the illness including anhedonia, deficits in affect perception and saccadic eye movement abnormalities. Overall, the findings suggest reduced grey matter volumes in AN that are associated with eating disorder symptomatology.
Another perspective on how visual neuroscience can inform the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A response to Feusner et al.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-09-2018
DOI: 10.1002/EAT.22915
Eating disorders in young people
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-02-2023
DOI: 10.1177/10398562231159514
Abstract: Eating disorders (EDs) have their onset most frequently in adolescence and young adulthood. Treatment for EDs lack efficacy, and we have made little progress in improving outcomes for patients over the course of the last several decades. As with other mental health conditions, early intervention may greatly improve outcomes, yet, little research exists in this area. More effective evidence-based treatments are sorely needed for EDs, particularly for early stages of the illness to minimise the potential harms of treatment and long-standing illness. Treatment service models would also benefit from taking an approach that ensures continuation of care from adolescence to young adulthood.
Investigating predictors contributing to the expression of schizotypy during the COVID-19 pandemic
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Considerations for using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test to assess cognitive flexibility
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-03-2021
Over a decade of an eating disorders treatment program: Where to from here?
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-01-2023
DOI: 10.1177/10398562231151598
Abstract: Currently available treatments for eating disorders lack efficacy resulting in poor outcomes for patients. In this paper, we describe a number of issues that we have identified in our clinical service, which are not unique to our treatment program. The issues described are common among eating disorder services worldwide and need to be addressed in order to move the field forward. We provide a number of solutions and research areas that need greater focus so that we are able to improve the efficacy of eating disorder treatment services.
Comparing the impact of high versus low lockdown severity on the mental health of young people in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2023
Conflation between self-report and neurocognitive assessments of cognitive flexibility: a critical review of the Jingle Fallacy
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-02-2023
Autonomic nervous system function in women with anorexia nervosa
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-11-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S10286-021-00836-Z
Abstract: Abnormalities in autonomic function have been observed in people with anorexia nervosa. However, the majority of investigations have utilised heart rate variability as the sole assessment of autonomic activity. The current study utilised a variety of methodologies to assess autonomic nervous system function in women with a current diagnosis of anorexia, a past diagnosis of anorexia who were weight-restored, and healthy controls. The s le included 37 participants: 10 participants with anorexia, 17 weight-restored participants (minimum body mass index > 18.5 for minimum of 12 months) and 10 controls. Assessments of autonomic function included muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) using microneurography, heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, blood pressure variability, head-up tilt table test, sudomotor function and assessment of plasma catecholamines. MSNA (bursts/min) was significantly decreased in both anorexia (10.22 ± 6.24) and weight-restored (17.58 ± 1.68) groups, as compared to controls (23.62 ± 1.01, p < 0.001 and p = 0.033, respectively). Participants with anorexia had a significantly lower standard deviation in heart rate, lower blood pressure variability and decreased sudomotor function as compared to controls. Weight-restored participants demonstrated decreased baroreflex sensitivity in response to head-up tilt as compared to controls. Women with a current or previous diagnosis of anorexia have significantly decreased sympathetic activity, which may reflect a physiological response to decreased energy intake. During the state of starvation, women with anorexia also displayed decreased sudomotor function. The consequences of a sustained decrease in MSNA are unknown, and future studies should investigate autonomic function in long-term weight-restored participants to determine whether activity returns to normal.
Investigating the cause and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa – The I-CAN study: Protocol and open call for study sites and collaboration
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2023
Related Organisations
Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Fakultas Ekonomi Dan Bisnis
Location: Indonesia
Related Funding Activities
No related grants have been discovered for Andrea Phillipou.