scholarly journals Alterations in cortical thickness and structural connectivity are associated with symptom severity in bulimia nervosa

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret L. Westwater ◽  
Jakob Seidlitz ◽  
Kelly M.J. Diederen ◽  
Sarah Fischer ◽  
James C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Structural Connectivity ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Continuous Measure ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Eating Disorder Examination

AbstractBulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious psychiatric illness defined by preoccupation with weight and shape, episodic binge-eating and compensatory behaviors. Although diagnosed BN has been associated with diffuse grey matter volume reductions, characterization of brain structure alterations in women with a range of BN symptoms has yet to be made. This study examined whether changes in cortical thickness (CT) scaled with BN symptom severity in a sample of 33 adult women (n = 10 BN; n = 5 EDNOS-BN). Our second objective was to assess global structural connectivity (SC) of CT and to determine if individual differences in global SC relate to BN symptom severity. We used the validated Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q; Fairburn & Beglin, 1994) as a continuous measure of BN symptom severity. Increased EDE-Q score was negatively related to global CT and local CT in the left middle frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus and bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and temporoparietal regions. Moreover, analysis of global SC indicated that BN-related cortical thinning preferentially occurred in regions with high global connectivity. Finally, we showed that individuals’ contribution to global SC at the group level were significantly related to EDE-Q score, where increased EDE-Q score correlated with reduced connectivity of the left OFC and middle temporal cortex and increased connectivity of the right superior parietal lobule. Our findings offer novel insight into CT alterations in BN and further suggest that the combination of CT and structural connectivity measures may be sensitive to individual differences in BN symptom severity.

scholarly journals Gray Matter Structure Is Associated with Reading Skill in Typically Developing Young Readers

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 5449-5459
Author(s):  
Meaghan V Perdue ◽  
Joshua Mednick ◽  
Kenneth R Pugh ◽  
Nicole Landi
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Gray Matter ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Gray Matter Volume ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Cortical Structure ◽  
Superior Temporal Cortex

Abstract Research using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging has identified areas of reduced brain activation and gray matter volume in children and adults with reading disability, but associations between cortical structure and individual differences in reading in typically developing children remain underexplored. Furthermore, the majority of research linking gray matter structure to reading ability quantifies gray matter in terms of volume, and cannot specify unique contributions of cortical surface area and thickness to these relationships. Here, we applied a continuous analytic approach to investigate associations between distinct surface-based properties of cortical structure and individual differences in reading-related skills in a sample of typically developing young children. Correlations between cortical structure and reading-related skills were conducted using a surface-based vertex-wise approach. Cortical thickness in the left superior temporal cortex was positively correlated with word and pseudoword reading performance. The observed positive correlation between cortical thickness in the left superior temporal cortex and reading may have implications for the patterns of brain activation that support reading.

Elevated total plasma-adiponectin is stable over time in young women with bulimia nervosa

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Syk ◽  
M. Ramklint ◽  
R. Fredriksson ◽  
L. Ekselius ◽  
J.L. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Morbid Obesity ◽  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Plasma Adiponectin ◽  
Eating Disorder Examination

AbstractBackgroundBulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by dysregulated eating behaviour and present data suggest adipokines may regulate food intake. We investigated a possible association between BN and adipokine levels and hypothesized that plasma (P)-adiponectin would be elevated and P-leptin and P-leptin-adiponectin-ratio would be reduced in women with BN.MethodsThe study was designed as a cross-sectional study with a longitudinal arm for patients with BN. Plasma-adiponectin and leptin was measured in 148 female patients seeking psychiatric ambulatory care and 45 female controls. Fifteen patients were diagnosed with BN and the remaining with other affective and anxiety disorders. P-adiponectin and P-leptin levels were compared between patients with BN, patients without BN and controls. At follow-up 1–2 years later, adipokines were reassessed in patients with BN and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was used to assess symptom severity.ResultsP-adiponectin was elevated in patients with BN at baseline and at follow-up when compared to patients without BN and controls (P < 0.004 and < 0.008 respectively). The difference remained significant after controlling for body mass index. P-adiponectin was correlated to symptom severity at follow-up in patients with BN without morbid obesity (ρ = 0.72, P < 0.04). P-leptin-adiponectin-ratio was significantly lower in patients with BN compared to controls (P < 0.04) and P-leptin non-significantly lower.ConclusionsFindings indicate a stable elevation of P-adiponectin in women with BN. P-adiponectin at follow-up correlates to eating disorder symptom severity in patients without morbid obesity, indicating that P-adiponectin should be further investigated as a possible potential prognostic biomarker for BN.

scholarly journals Individual differences in brain structure and self-reported empathy in children

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Olivia Bray ◽  
Elena Pozzi ◽  
Nandita Vijayakumar ◽  
Sally Richmond ◽  
Camille Deane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Empathy ◽  
Empathic Concern ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Matter Volume

Empathy refers to the understanding and sharing of others’ emotions and comprises cognitive and affective components. Empathy is important for social functioning, and alterations in empathy have been demonstrated in many developmental/psychiatric disorders. While several studies have examined associations between empathy and brain structure in adults, few have investigated this relationship in children. Investigating associations between empathy and brain structure during childhood will help us develop a deeper understanding of the neural correlates of empathy across the lifespan.125 children (66 female, mean age 10 years) underwent MRI brain scans. Grey matter volume and cortical thickness from T1-weighted structural images were examined using the CAT12 toolbox within SPM12. Children completed questionnaire measures of empathy (cognitive empathy, affective empathy: affective sharing, empathic concern, empathic distress).In hypothesised region of interest analyses, individual differences in affective and cognitive empathy were related to grey matter volume in the insula and the precuneus. Although these relationships were of similar strength to those found in previous research, they did not survive correction for the total number of models computed. While no significant findings were detected between grey matter volume and empathy in exploratory whole-brain analysis, associations were found between cortical thickness and empathic concern in the right precentral gyrus.This study provides preliminary evidence that individual differences in self-reported empathy in children may be related to aspects of brain structure. Findings highlight the need for more research investigating the neurobiological correlates of empathy in children.

scholarly journals Associations between cortical thickness, structural connectivity and severity of dimensional bulimia nervosa symptomatology

2018 ◽  
Vol 271 ◽  
pp. 118-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret L. Westwater ◽  
Jakob Seidlitz ◽  
Kelly M.J. Diederen ◽  
Sarah Fischer ◽  
James C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Structural Connectivity

scholarly journals Reduced parahippocampal cortical thickness in subjects at ultra-high risk for psychosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tognin ◽  
A. Riecher-Rössler ◽  
E. M. Meisenzahl ◽  
S. J. Wood ◽  
C. Hutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Temporal Cortex ◽  
Parahippocampal Gyrus ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Matter Volume ◽  
Ultra High Risk ◽  
The Right

BackgroundGrey matter volume and cortical thickness represent two complementary aspects of brain structure. Several studies have described reductions in grey matter volume in people at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis; however, little is known about cortical thickness in this group. The aim of the present study was to investigate cortical thickness alterations in UHR subjects and compare individuals who subsequently did and did not develop psychosis.MethodWe examined magnetic resonance imaging data collected at four different scanning sites. The UHR subjects were followed up for at least 2 years. Subsequent to scanning, 50 UHR subjects developed psychosis and 117 did not. Cortical thickness was examined in regions previously identified as sites of neuroanatomical alterations in UHR subjects, using voxel-based cortical thickness.ResultsAt baseline UHR subjects, compared with controls, showed reduced cortical thickness in the right parahippocampal gyrus (p < 0.05, familywise error corrected). There were no significant differences in cortical thickness between the UHR subjects who later developed psychosis and those who did not.ConclusionsThese data suggest that UHR symptomatology is characterized by alterations in the thickness of the medial temporal cortex. We did not find evidence that the later progression to psychosis was linked to additional alterations in cortical thickness, although we cannot exclude the possibility that the study lacked sufficient power to detect such differences.

scholarly journals Effects of polygenic risk for major mental disorders and cross-disorder on cortical complexity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Simon Schmitt ◽  
Tina Meller ◽  
Frederike Stein ◽  
Katharina Brosch ◽  
Kai Ringwald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Cortical Thickness ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Grey Matter Volume ◽  
Polygenic Risk ◽  
Risk For Depression

Abstract Background MRI-derived cortical folding measures are an indicator of largely genetically driven early developmental processes. However, the effects of genetic risk for major mental disorders on early brain development are not well understood. Methods We extracted cortical complexity values from structural MRI data of 580 healthy participants using the CAT12 toolbox. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and cross-disorder (incorporating cumulative genetic risk for depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) were computed and used in separate general linear models with cortical complexity as the regressand. In brain regions that showed a significant association between polygenic risk for mental disorders and cortical complexity, volume of interest (VOI)/region of interest (ROI) analyses were conducted to investigate additional changes in their volume and cortical thickness. Results The PRS for depression was associated with cortical complexity in the right orbitofrontal cortex (right hemisphere: p = 0.006). A subsequent VOI/ROI analysis showed no association between polygenic risk for depression and either grey matter volume or cortical thickness. We found no associations between cortical complexity and polygenic risk for either schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychiatric cross-disorder when correcting for multiple testing. Conclusions Changes in cortical complexity associated with polygenic risk for depression might facilitate well-established volume changes in orbitofrontal cortices in depression. Despite the absence of psychopathology, changed cortical complexity that parallels polygenic risk for depression might also change reward systems, which are also structurally affected in patients with depressive syndrome.

Individual Differences in Intrinsic Brain Networks Predict Symptom Severity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 681-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Peng Kiat Pua ◽  
Phoebe Thomson ◽  
Joseph Yuan-Mou Yang ◽  
Jeffrey M Craig ◽  
Gareth Ball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Face Perception ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Social Impairment ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Abstract The neurobiology of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is still unknown. We hypothesized that differences in subject-level properties of intrinsic brain networks were important features that could predict individual variation in ASD symptom severity. We matched cases and controls from a large multicohort ASD dataset (ABIDE-II) on age, sex, IQ, and image acquisition site. Subjects were matched at the individual level (rather than at group level) to improve homogeneity within matched case–control pairs (ASD: n = 100, mean age = 11.43 years, IQ = 110.58; controls: n = 100, mean age = 11.43 years, IQ = 110.70). Using task-free functional magnetic resonance imaging, we extracted intrinsic functional brain networks using projective non-negative matrix factorization. Intrapair differences in strength in subnetworks related to the salience network (SN) and the occipital-temporal face perception network were robustly associated with individual differences in social impairment severity (T = 2.206, P = 0.0301). Findings were further replicated and validated in an independent validation cohort of monozygotic twins (n = 12; 3 pairs concordant and 3 pairs discordant for ASD). Individual differences in the SN and face-perception network are centrally implicated in the neural mechanisms of social deficits related to ASD.

Changes in psychopathology and symptom severity in bulimia nervosa between 1993 and 2003

2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda S. Vaught ◽  
W. Stewart Agras ◽  
Susan W. Bryson ◽  
Scott J. Crow ◽  
Katherine A. Halmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Symptom Severity

scholarly journals Review of literature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid eating disorders

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Palazzo Nazar ◽  
Camilla Moreira de Sousa Pinna ◽  
Gabriel Coutinho ◽  
Daniel Segenreich ◽  
Monica Duchesne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Bulimia Nervosa ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE: According to studies of prevalence, up to 70% of adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have at least one psychiatric comorbidity, which leads to diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties as well as more severe functional impairment. There is a paucity of data on the comorbidity of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. The objective of this study was to review the literature regarding the attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder/eating disorders comorbidity, performing a critical analysis of relevant data. METHOD: Articles in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, ISI and PsycINFO databases from 1980 up to 2008, were searched. The references from the articles were used as additional sources of data. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were found: five prevalence studies, four case reports, three case-control studies, one symptom-assessment study of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, and one article regarding possible causes of the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders. These articles suggested that adult women with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at higher risk of developing eating disorders, especially bulimia nervosa. Bulimia Nervosa rates found in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder groups ranged from 1% to 12%, versus 0% to 2% in control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although there seems to be a relationship between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and eating disorders, the reduced number of studies available, with various methodologies, and small sample sizes limit the generalization of the findings.

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