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Resting state functional connectivity in anorexia nervosa
Phillipou, Andrea Abel, Larry Allen Castle, David Jonathan Hughes, Matthew Edward Nibbs, Richard Grant Gurvich, Caroline Rossell, Susan Lee
Phillipou, Andrea
Abel, Larry Allen
Castle, David Jonathan
Hughes, Matthew Edward
Nibbs, Richard Grant
Gurvich, Caroline
Rossell, Susan Lee
Abstract
Abstract Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric illness characterised by a disturbance in body image, a fear of weight gain and significantly low body weight. The factors involved in the genesis and maintenance of AN are unclear, though the potential neurobiological underpinnings of the condition are of increasing interest. Through the investigation of functional connectivity of the brain at rest, information relating to neuronal communication and integration of information that may relate to behaviours and cognitive symptoms can be explored. The aim of this study was to investigate functional connectivity of the default mode network, and sensorimotor and visual networks in AN. 26 females with AN and 27 healthy control participants matched for age, gender and premorbid intelligence underwent a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. Default mode network functional connectivity did not differ between groups. AN participants displayed reduced functional connectivity between the sensorimotor and visual networks, in comparison to healthy controls. This finding is discussed in terms of differences in visuospatial processing in AN and the distortion of body image experienced by these individuals. Overall, the findings suggest that sensorimotor and visual network connectivity may be related to visuospatial processing in AN, though, further research is required.
Keywords
eating disorder, FMRI, visuospatial processing, default mode network
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging
Book
Volume
251
Issue
Page Range
45-52
Article Number
ACU Department
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Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled