Neuroanatomical Correlates of Binge-Eating Behavior: At the Roots of Unstoppable Eating.

Rossella Oliva,Umberto Castiello,Chiara Begliomini,Sanja Budisavljević

doi:10.3390/brainsci11091162

Rossella Oliva, Umberto Castiello + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci11091162

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Journal: Brain sciences	Publication Date: Aug 31, 2021
Citations: 3	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Padua, University of St Andrews

Abstract

Binge-eating refers to episodes of uncontrolled eating accompanied by a perceived loss of control, which can be common in the general population. Given the profound negative consequences of persistent binge-eating such as weight and eating disorders, it is vital to determine what makes someone more vulnerable than others to engage in such a conduct. A total of 42 normal-weight individuals (21 with binge-eating episodes and 21 without binge-eating episodes) underwent a structural magnetic resonance imaging measurement and Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to assess between-group differences in terms of gray matter volume (GMV), together with self-report impulsivity and binge-eating measures. The results showed binge-eating individuals as characterized by higher trait impulsivity and greater regional GMV in the left middle frontal gyrus: however, the GMV in this region appeared to be positively correlated only with measures of binge-eating but not with trait impulsivity measures. These findings provide novel insights on the neurobiological roots of BE in normal-weight individuals and highlight how this behavior can be associated with brain morphometric changes within prefrontal regions also in a non-clinical population. Overall, this study provides a further characterization of the neural correlates of binge-eating and novel insights into the treatment of its more severe pathological forms.

Highlights

With the worldwide rise of overeating and overweight in the past few decades, researchers have put considerable attention on trying to understand the possible predisposing factors that may contribute to the development of obesity and binge-eating disorder (BED) [1]
When inhibitory control is challenged, differences in brain activity in brain regions engaged in inhibitory control seem to characterize obese and BED on one side and normal-weight individuals on the other side
Reduced gray matter volume (GMV) in the left prefrontal regions was reported in individuals with obesity [13] and overweight women with food addiction [14]

Summary

Introduction

With the worldwide rise of overeating and overweight in the past few decades, researchers have put considerable attention on trying to understand the possible predisposing factors that may contribute to the development of obesity and binge-eating disorder (BED) [1]. Preliminary insights into binge-eating derive from a recent line of research according to which there would be a shared behavioral and neural substrate between overeating and substance compulsive use [4,5]; in both cases, a failure of inhibitory mechanisms and high impulsivity would play key roles in the tendency to engage in such behaviors despite the negative consequences [4,6] Support to this argument derives from neuroimaging investigations that underscored the role of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and fronto-striatal circuits at the roots of dysfunctional self-regulation [7,8], which could underlie the lack of ability to stop overconsumption. PFC would be crucial for the ability to evaluate action consequences and, referring to eating behavior, its microstructure and functionality may have a role in the development of disordered or unhealthy eating, facilitating obesogenic habits [17,18]

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