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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Journal of Eating Disorders

Neurobiological and cognitive correlates of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review

  • Brooke Donnelly1,2,3
  • Tuki Attuquayefio2,3
  • Janet Conti2,3
  • Phillipa Hay3,4
4 affiliations
  1. 1School of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
  2. 2School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW Australia
  3. 3Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia
  4. 4Mental Health Services, SWSLHD, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, NSW Australia
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Abstract

Objective: Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a recently recognised eating disorder and is largely under-researched. Given the paucity of research examining the neurobiological and cognitive correlates of ARFID, the present systematic review aimed to synthesise and summarise existing ARFID data to highlight directions for future research.

Method: Using PRISMA guidelines, five databases (Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Web of Science), in addition to hand searches of reference lists and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, were searched for studies that investigated evidence relating to the neurobiological and cognitive correlates of ARFID. Twelve papers met inclusion criteria.

Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria for this systematic review with a total of n = 548 ARFID participants across all studies. Neurobiological studies (k = 6) highlighted differences in regions including orbitofrontal and prefrontal cortices, and, in acute cases, midline diencephalic regions. Cognitive studies (k = 6) findings highlighted impaired executive function, specifically related to cognitive flexibility, impulsivity, visual processing skills, central coherence and inhibition.

Conclusions: Research into the neurobiology of ARFID is nascent. The results of this review contribute to improved understanding of the possible underlying neurobiological and cognitive differences within ARFID, which in turn will inform translational research aimed at better understanding and treating individuals with this illness.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{donnelly2026neurobiological,
  title = {{Neurobiological and cognitive correlates of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review}},
  author = {Brooke Donnelly and Tuki Attuquayefio and Janet Conti and Phillipa Hay},
  journal = {Journal of Eating Disorders},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s40337-026-01710-x},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-026-01710-x},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Neurobiological and cognitive correlates of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): a systematic review
AU  - Brooke Donnelly
AU  - Tuki Attuquayefio
AU  - Janet Conti
AU  - Phillipa Hay
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/12
JO  - Journal of Eating Disorders
DO  - 10.1186/s40337-026-01710-x
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-026-01710-x
AB  - Objective: Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a recently recognised eating disorder and is largely under-researched. Given the paucity of research examining the neurobiological and cognitive correlates of ARFID, the present systematic review aimed to synthesise and summarise existing ARFID data to highlight directions for future research.  Method: Using PRISMA guidelines, five databases (Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Web of Science), in addition to hand searches of reference lists and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, were searched for studies that investigated evidence relating to the neurobiological and cognitive correlates of ARFID. Twelve papers met inclusion criteria.  Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria for this systematic review with a total of n = 548 ARFID participants across all studies. Neurobiological studies (k = 6) highlighted differences in regions including orbitofrontal and prefrontal cortices, and, in acute cases, midline diencephalic regions. Cognitive studies (k = 6) findings highlighted impaired executive function, specifically related to cognitive flexibility, impulsivity, visual processing skills, central coherence and inhibition.  Conclusions: Research into the neurobiology of ARFID is nascent. The results of this review contribute to improved understanding of the possible underlying neurobiological and cognitive differences within ARFID, which in turn will inform translational research aimed at better understanding and treating individuals with this illness.
SN  - 2050-2974
ER  -