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Review
. 2019 Nov;32(6):478-483.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000544.

Neuroimaging and eating disorders

Guido K W Frank  1
Affiliations
Review

Neuroimaging and eating disorders

Guido K W Frank. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Eating disorders are severe psychiatric disorders with a suspected complex biopsychosocial cause. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the recent literature on brain imaging in eating disorders.

Recent findings: Food restriction as well as binge eating and purging behaviors are associated with lower regional brain volumes or cortical thickness, but those changes largely return to normal with normalization of weight and eating behavior. Computational modeling has started to identify patterns of structural and functional imaging data that classify eating disorder subtypes, which could be used in the future, diagnostically and to better understand disorder-specific psychopathology. The prediction error model, a computational approach to assess dopamine-related brain reward function, helped support a brain-based model for anorexia nervosa. In that model, the conscious motivation to restrict conflicts with body signals that stimulate eating. This conflict causes anxiety and drives a vicious cycle of food restriction.

Summary: Novel brain research supports the notion that eating disorders have distinct neurobiological underpinnings. This new knowledge can be used to describe disease models to patients and develop novel treatments.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

None.

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References

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      (** This is a detailed review of structural brain imaging in anorexia nervosa that lays out future directions of research.)

    1. Nickel K, Joos A, Tebartz van Elst L, Matthis J, Holovics L, Endres D, et al. Recovery of cortical volume and thickness after remission from acute anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2018.

      (* This manuscript supports the notion of reversible changes in brain structure in anorexia nervosa.)

    1. Bernardoni F, King JA, Geisler D, Birkenstock J, Tam FI, Weidner K, et al. Nutritional Status Affects Cortical Folding: Lessons Learned From Anorexia Nervosa. Biol Psychiatry. 2018;84(9):692–701.

      (* The manuscript extends state related structural changes in anorexia nervosa to cortical folding.)

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