Organic background of restrictive-type anorexia nervosa suggested by increased serotonin 1A receptor binding in right frontotemporal cortex of both lean and recovered patients: [18F]MPPF PET scan study.
BACKGROUND
Serotonin (5-HT) pathway abnormalities were demonstrated in anorexia nervosa (AN). Brain imaging studies on 5-HT receptors support this evidence. 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(N-2-pyridinyl)-p-fluorobenzamido]-ethylpiperazine ([(18)F]MPPF) is a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist with an affinity close to that of endogenous 5-HT.


METHODS
In 24 subjects including 8 lean restrictive-type AN patients, 9 recovered from restrictive-type AN subjects and 7 age-matched control subjects, we assessed in vivo brain [(18)F]MPPF binding by positron emission tomography and eating-related psychopathological traits. Inter-groups differences in [(18)F]MPPF binding were evaluated by voxel-based analyses.


RESULTS
Restrictive AN patients presented increased [(18)F]MPPF binding in a selective area of the right cortex including part of the superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, parietal operculum, and temporoparietal junction. Striking regional similarities of increased [(18)F]MPPF binding were found in recovered from AN subjects. Most of the psychiatric scores were increased in restrictive AN patients, and elevated perfectionism and interpersonal distrust scores were noticed in subjects recovered from AN.


CONCLUSIONS
The persistent increased 5-HT(1A) receptor binding in frontotemporal region of recovered AN concomitantly with specific psychopathological traits support the hypothesis of an organic dysfunction of this area and corroborates with previous literature reports of AN cases induced by temporal lesions.
Galusca
Bogdan
B
Endocrinology Department, CHU Saint Etienne, France.
Costes
Nicolas
N
Zito
Natacha Germain
NG
Peyron
Roland
R
Bossu
Cecile
C
Lang
Francois
F
Le Bars
Didier
D
Estour
Bruno
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000378:metabolism*; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001823:Body Composition; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010879:Piperazines / Q000378:metabolism*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / Q000378:metabolism*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013851:Thinness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D000631:Aminopyridines; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D006728:Hormones; D010879:Piperazines; D044282:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A; C099463:4-(2' methoxyphenyl)-1-(2'-(N-(2''-pyridinyl)-4-fluorobenzamido)ethyl)piperazine