Differences in regional grey matter volumes in currently ill patients with anorexia nervosa. (10th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillipou, Andrea; Rossell, Susan Lee; Gurvich, Caroline; Castle, David Jonathan; Abel, Larry Allen; Nibbs, Richard Grant; Hughes, Matthew Edward
• Is Part Of: European journal of neuroscience. Volume 47:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 183
• Publication Date: 2018-01-10
• Subjects: eating disorder -- MRI -- voxel‐based morphometry; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13793
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-816X

Abstract

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 individuals with AN. Twenty‐six individuals 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. Abstract : Individuals with anorexia nervosa displayed widespread reductions in grey matter volume that were associated with eating disorder symptomatology and consistent with brain regions responsible for cognitive deficits reported in the illness.