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Originalia

Kognitive Veränderungen beim Fasten

Published Online:September 01, 2006https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443.34.2.86

Abstract

Zusammenfassung.Theoretischer Hintergrund: Auf Grund der extrem eingeschränkten Kalorienzufuhr beim Fasten kommt es zu verschiedenen hormonellen- und Stoffwechselveränderungen. Fragestellung: Sind kognitive Funktionen bei einer Fastendauer von 72 Stunden beeinträchtigt? Methode: Es wurden 15 Teilnehmer eines Buchinger-Fastenkurses und eine nach Geschlecht, Alter und höchstem Schulabschluss parallelisierte Kontrollgruppe an zwei Untersuchungszeitpunkten neuropsychologisch getestet (Aufmerksamkeit, visuo-konstruktive Fähigkeiten, konditional-assoziative Lernfähigkeit, Befindlichkeit). Ergebnisse: In der Fastengruppe ergaben sich nach 72 Stunden signifikant schlechtere Leistungen in Aufmerksamkeitstests und im konditional-assoziativen Lernen. Das allgemeine Befinden war jedoch deutlich besser ausgeprägt als in der nicht fastenden Kontrollgruppe. Das verbale Lernen, die verbale und visuo-räumliche Merkfähigkeit sowie die Visuokonstruktion waren dagegen unbeeinträchtigt. Schlussfolgerung: Bereits nach einer extremen Nahrungseinschränkung von 72 Stunden zeigen sich selektive Beeinträchtigungen der kognitiven Funktionen, welche in milder Ausprägungen denen von Anorexiepatientinnen entsprechen.


Cognitive changes during fasting

Abstract.Background: Extreme restriction of caloric intake leads to hormonal and metabolic changes. Objective: Is there cognitive impairment after 72 hours of fasting? Method: Fifteen volunteers from a Buchinger fasting course underwent neuropsychological testing at two points in time (attention, visuo constructive ability, associative capability, and mood). Participants were compared to a control group, matched with regard to gender, age, and years of education. Results: Volunteers showed significant deficits in an attention task and with respect to conditional-associative learning after 72 hours. Fasting volunteers showed enhanced positive mood compared to the non-fasting volunteers. Verbal learning, verbal und spatial memory, and visuoconstruction remained unimpaired. Conclusion: After 72 hours of extreme caloric restriction there is already evidence of selective cognitive impairment which partly resembles the neuropsychological deficits found in anorexia.

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