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Investigation of brain iron in anorexia nervosa, a quantitative susceptibility mapping study.

Authors :
Ravanfar P
Rushmore RJ
Lyall AE
Cropley V
Makris N
Desmond P
Velakoulis D
Shenton ME
Bush AI
Rossell SL
Pantelis C
Syeda WT
Phillipou A
Source :
Journal of eating disorders [J Eat Disord] 2023 Aug 21; Vol. 11 (1), pp. 142. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Aug 21.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a potentially fatal psychiatric condition, associated with structural brain changes such as gray matter volume loss. The pathophysiological mechanisms for these changes are not yet fully understood. Iron is a crucial element in the development and function of the brain. Considering the systemic alterations in iron homeostasis in AN, we hypothesized that brain iron would be altered as a possible factor associated with structural brain changes in AN.<br />Methods: In this study, we used quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) magnetic resonance imaging to investigate brain iron in current AN (c-AN) and weight-restored AN compared with healthy individuals. Whole-brain voxel wise comparison was used to probe areas with possible group differences. Further, the thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and amygdala were selected as the regions of interest (ROIs) for ROI-based comparison of mean QSM values.<br />Results: Whole-brain voxel-wise and ROI-based comparison of QSM did not reveal any differences between groups. Exploratory analyses revealed a correlation between higher regional QSM (higher iron) and lower body mass index, higher illness severity, longer illness duration, and younger age at onset in the c-AN group.<br />Conclusions: This study did not find evidence of altered brain iron in AN compared to healthy individuals. However, the correlations between clinical variables and QSM suggest a link between brain iron and weight status or biological processes in AN, which warrants further investigation.<br /> (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2050-2974
Volume :
11
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of eating disorders
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37605216
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00870-4