Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cortical thickness 20 years after diagnosis of anorexia nervosa during adolescence

  • Original paper
  • Published:
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The objective of the present study is to evaluate cortical thickness (CT) abnormalities using FreeSurfer in adult subjects who had an onset of anorexia nervosa during their adolescence some 20 years previously, and to compare them with control subjects.

Methods

Fifty-four participants, including 26 women who were diagnosed and treated for AN during adolescence some 20 years previously and 28 healthy women of similar age and geographical area were assessed using structured interviews and MRI scans. Prior AN subjects were divided into two groups depending on their current eating disorder status (recovered or not recovered from any eating disorder). In all subjects, CT was measured using FreeSurfer.

Results

A significantly lower CT was observed in the eating disorder group than in the control group in the right post-central gyrus and the lateral occipital cortex. The recovered eating disorder group only had lower CT in the post-central gyrus. Within all subjects with prior AN, no correlations were found between lower CT in these areas and clinical variables.

Discussion

CT is reduced some 20 years after diagnosis of AN especially in the parietal and precentral areas, even in subjects without any current ED diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Papadopoulos FC, Ekbom A, Brandt L, Ekselius L (2009) Excess mortality, causes of death and prognostic factors in anorexia nervosa. Br J Psychiatry 194:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.054742

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Castro-Fornieles J, Bargalló N, Lázaro L et al (2009) A cross-sectional and follow-up voxel-based morphometric MRI study in adolescent anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatr Res 43:331–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.03.013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Titova OE, Hjorth OC, Schiöth HB, Brooks SJ (2013) Anorexia nervosa is linked to reduced brain structure in reward and somatosensory regions: a meta-analysis of VBM studies. BMC Psychiatry 13:110. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-110

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Fujisawa TX, Yatsuga C, Mabe H et al (2015) Anorexia nervosa during adolescence is associated with decreased gray matter volume in the inferior frontal gyrus. PLoS One 10:e0128548. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128548

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Roberto CA, Mayer LES, Brickman AM et al (2011) Brain tissue volume changes following weight gain in adults with anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 44:406–411. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20840

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Swayze VW, Andersen AE, Andreasen NC et al (2003) Brain tissue volume segmentation in patients with anorexia nervosa before and after weight normalization. Int J Eat Disord 33:33–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.10111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lázaro L, Andrés S, Calvo A et al (2013) Normal gray and white matter volume after weight restoration in adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 46:841–848. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22161

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Wagner A, Greer P, Bailer UF et al (2006) Normal brain tissue volumes after long-term recovery in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Biol Psychiatry 59:291–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.06.014

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Bang L, Rø Ø, Endestad T (2016) Normal gray matter volumes in women recovered from anorexia nervosa: a voxel-based morphometry study. BMC Psychiatry 16:144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0856-z

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Chui HT, Christensen BK, Zipursky RB et al (2008) Cognitive function and brain structure in females with a history of adolescent-onset anorexia nervosa. Pediatrics 122:e426–e437. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-0170

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Winkler AM, Kochunov P, Blangero J et al (2010) Cortical thickness or grey matter volume? The importance of selecting the phenotype for imaging genetics studies. NeuroImage 53:1135–1146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.12.028

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bär K-J, de la Cruz F, Berger S et al (2015) Structural and functional differences in the cingulate cortex relate to disease severity in anorexia nervosa. J Psychiatry Neurosci 40:269–279. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.140193

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Fuglset TS, Endestad T, Hilland E et al (2016) Brain volumes and regional cortical thickness in young females with anorexia nervosa. BMC Psychiatry 16:404. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-1126-9

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Lavagnino L, Amianto F, Mwangi B et al (2016) The relationship between cortical thickness and body mass index differs between women with anorexia nervosa and healthy controls. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 248:105–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.01.002

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. King JA, Geisler D, Ritschel F et al (2015) Global cortical thinning in acute anorexia nervosa normalizes following long-term weight restoration. Biol Psychiatry 77:624–632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.09.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bernardoni F, King JA, Geisler D et al (2016) Weight restoration therapy rapidly reverses cortical thinning in anorexia nervosa: a longitudinal study. NeuroImage 130:214–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.02.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. First M, Spitzer R, Gibbon M, Willimans J (1997) Structured clinical interview for DSM-IV axis i disorders, clinician version (SCID-CV). American Psychiatric Press, Inc, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  18. American Psychiatric Association (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, DC

    Book  Google Scholar 

  19. Segal DL, Hersen M, Van Hasselt VB, Kabacoff RI, Roth L (1993) Reliability of diagnoses in older psychiatric patients using the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 15:347–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Segal DL, Hersen M, Van Hasselt VB (1994) Reliability of the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R: an evaluative review. Compr Psychiatry 35:316–327

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Segal DL, Kabacoff RI, Hersen M, Van Hasselt VB, Ryan CF (1995) Update on the reliability of diagnosis in older psychiatric outpatients using the structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R. J Clin Gerospsychol 1:313–321

    Google Scholar 

  22. Strakowski SM, Tohen M, Stoll AL, Faedda GL, Mayer PV, Kolbrener ML et al (1993) Comorbidity in psychosis at first hospitalization. Am J Psychiatry 150:752–757

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Strakowski SM, Keck PE Jr, Elroy SL, Lonczak HS, West SA (1995) Chronology of comorbid and principal syndromes in first-episode psychosis. Compr Psychiatry 36:106–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Stukenberg KW, Dura JR, Kiecolt-Glaser JK (1990) Depression screening scale validation in an elderly, community dwelling population. Psychol Assess 2:134–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Elder KA, Grilo CM (2007) The Spanish language version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire: comparison with the Spanish language version of the eating disorder examination and test–retest reliability. Behav Res Ther 45:1369–1377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2006.08.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Fairburn C, Cooper Z (1993) The eating disorder examination. In: Fairburn C, Wilson G (eds) Binge eating: nature, assessment and treatment. Guilford, New York, pp 317–360

    Google Scholar 

  27. Robles ME, Oberst UE, Sánchez-Planell L, Chamarro A (2006) Cross-cultural adaptation of the eating disorder examination into Spanish. Med Clin 127:734–735

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Grilo CM, Lozano C, Elder KA (2005) Inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the Spanish language version of the eating disorder examination interview: clinical and research implications. J Psychiatr Pract 11:231–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Belloch A, Cabedo E, Morillo C. LM y CC (2003) Diseño de un instrumento Resultados, para evaluar las creencias disfuncionales del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo: Psicología, preliminares del Inventario de Creencias Obsesivas (ICO). Int J Clin Health 3:235–250

    Google Scholar 

  30. Dale AM, Fischl B, Sereno MI (1999) Cortical surface-based analysis. I. Segmentation and surface reconstruction. NeuroImage 9:179–194. https://doi.org/10.1006/nimg.1998.0395

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rosas HD, Liu AK, Hersch S et al (2002) Regional and progressive thinning of the cortical ribbon in Huntington’s disease. Neurology 58:695–701

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gaudio S, Nocchi F, Franchin T et al (2011) Gray matter decrease distribution in the early stages of anorexia nervosa restrictive type in adolescents. Psychiatry Res 191:24–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.06.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Nico D, Daprati E, Nighoghossian N et al (2010) The role of the right parietal lobe in anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med 40:1531–1539. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291709991851

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Fuglset TS, Landrø NI, Reas DL, Rø Ø (2016) Functional brain alterations in anorexia nervosa: a scoping review. J Eat Disord 4:32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-016-0118-y

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Davidovic M, Karjalainen L, Starck G et al (2018) Abnormal brain processing of gentle touch in anorexia nervosa. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 281:53–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.08.007

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Gaudio S, Quattrocchi CC (2012) Neural basis of a multidimensional model of body image distortion in anorexia nervosa. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 36:1839–1847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.05.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Study supported by the Women’s Institute, Ministry of Equality of Spain (Grant number 234/09).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology Department, 2017SGR881, Institute Clínic of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, CIBERSAM, IDIBAPS, Villarroel 170, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Josefina Castro-Fornieles, Elena de la Serna, Susana Andrés-Perpiña, Maria Teresa Plana, Sonia Romero & Itziar Flamarique

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Josefina Castro-Fornieles, Elena de la Serna, Susana Andrés-Perpiña, Maria Teresa Plana, Sonia Romero & Itziar Flamarique

  3. Magnetic Resonance Image Core Facility, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain

    Anna Calvo, José Pariente & Núria Bargalló

  4. Institute of Neuropsychiatry and Addictions (INAD), Parc de Salut MAR, Barcelona, Spain

    Miguel Gárriz

  5. Imaging Diagnostic Center, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Núria Bargalló

Authors
  1. Josefina Castro-Fornieles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elena de la Serna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anna Calvo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. José Pariente
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susana Andrés-Perpiña
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maria Teresa Plana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sonia Romero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Itziar Flamarique
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Miguel Gárriz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Núria Bargalló
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josefina Castro-Fornieles.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Josefina Castro-Fornieles, Elena de la Serna, Anna Calvo, José Pariente, Susana Andrés-Perpiña, Maria Teresa Plana, Sonia Romero, Miguel Gárriz, and Núria Bargalló, affirm that we have no conflicts of interest. Dr. Flamarique has received travel support from Shire and conference attendance support from Rovi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Castro-Fornieles, J., de la Serna, E., Calvo, A. et al. Cortical thickness 20 years after diagnosis of anorexia nervosa during adolescence. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 271, 1133–1139 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-00992-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-019-00992-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation