Altered regional gray matter volume in Chinese female patients with bulimia nervosa.

Xiao Li,Lingfei Li,Jing Ma,Xiaowei Liu,Yu Wang,Linli Zheng,Yaya Liu,Lan Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12888-020-02493-4

Abstract

BackgroundBulimia nervosa (BN) is a psychiatric disorder with unclear pathophysiology. Several studies have associated BN with structural and functional changes in the brain, but findings have been inconsistent. Here we explored this potential association in a small group of Chinese women with BN.MethodsThis retrospective study examined 34 women with BN and 34 age-matched healthy controls, all of whom underwent T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Voxel-based morphometry was carried out to explore alterations in regional grey matter volume (GMV) that may be associated with BN.ResultsThe BN group showed smaller GMV in the left medial superior frontal gyrus (SFGmed.L), right superior temporal gyrus (STG.R), right median cingulate and paracingulate gyri (DCG.R), left median cingulate and paracingulate gyri (DCG.L) and left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus (SFGdor.L). No regions showing GMV increases in BN were identified. The GMV reduction did not correlate with body mass index, duration of illness, or patients’ self-esteem or overall self-evaluation. GMV reduction correlated negatively with age in the SFGmed. L (r = − 0.516, P < 0.005), DCG. R (r = − 0.556, P < 0.005), DCG. L (r = − 0.576, P < 0.05) and SFGdor. L (r = − 0.576, P < 0.005).ConclusionsWomen with BN show reduced GMV in several brain regions, but it is difficult to know whether these changes are the result of BN pathology or of binge-eating and compensatory behavior. These changes may be associated with impaired inhibitory control, body dissatisfaction and emotion dysregulation.

Highlights

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a psychiatric disorder with unclear pathophysiology
Studies based on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images have associated BN with increased grey matter
Global brain volume alterations We found no significant differences between BN patients or controls in total grey matter volume (GMV), White matter volume (WMV) or intracranial volume, which is consistent with some previous studies in female patients [18, 19]

Summary

Introduction

Several studies have associated BN with structural and functional changes in the brain, but findings have been inconsistent. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain [1]. It usually occurs in young females and can lead to severe medical complications affecting all body systems [2, 3]. Several studies have provided evidence that BN and other eating disorders are associated with structural and functional changes in brain regions, as detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (Table 1). Studies based on voxel-based morphometry (VBM) from MRI images have associated BN with increased grey matter

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Discussion

Conclusion