An Overlooked Brain Region in the Aetiology of Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Behaviourally Driven Neuroimaging Analysis. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillipou, Andrea; Castle, David Jonathan; Abel, Larry Allen; Gurvich, Caroline; Rossell, Susan Lee
• Is Part Of: Journal of experimental neuroscience. Volume 12(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Anorexia nervosa -- magnetic resonance imaging -- diffusion-weighted imaging -- superior colliculus -- midbrain; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Periodicals; Nervous System Diseases; Neurosciences; Nervous system; Neurosciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1177/1179069518820068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1179-0695

Abstract

The neurobiological contributions to anorexia nervosa (AN) remain poorly understood, hindering the development of effective neurobiological treatments such as medications and brain stimulation. A large number of studies have been undertaken utilising neuroimaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to gain a better understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in the illness. However, the analyses undertaken by many studies have utilised a whole-brain analytical approach as much of this research has been exploratory in nature. This is, however, problematic as small brain regions that differ between groups may not have the statistical power to produce statistically significant results. This is highlighted in a recent study undertaken by our group utilising diffusion-weighted imaging. In this research, we identified widespread white matter microstructural differences in individuals with AN, but only showed differences in a small brain region (the superior colliculus) when a region-of-interest approach that was driven by behavioural findings was utilised. The importance of hypothesis-driven neuroimaging analyses is discussed in this article.