Resting state functional connectivity in anorexia nervosa.
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.
Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Mental Health, The Austin Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: ap@unimelb.edu.au.
Andrea
A
Phillipou
Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Larry Allen
LA
Abel
Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
David Jonathan
DJ
Castle
Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Matthew Edward
ME
Hughes
Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Richard Grant
RG
Nibbs
Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Caroline
C
Gurvich
Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Susan Lee
SL
Rossell
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D066191:Sensorimotor Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult
Default mode network; Eating disorder; FMRI; Visuospatial processing