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. 2019 Sep;27(5):507-520.
doi: 10.1002/erv.2686. Epub 2019 Jun 6.

Cortical morphometry in anorexia nervosa: An out-of-sample replication study

Jenni Leppanen  1 , Felicity Sedgewick  1 , Valentina Cardi  1 , Janet Treasure  1   2 , Kate Tchanturia  1   2   3
Affiliations

Cortical morphometry in anorexia nervosa: An out-of-sample replication study

Jenni Leppanen et al. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Acute anorexia nervosa (AN) is frequently accompanied by reduced global cortical volume. Investigations of local cortical alterations in AN have revealed widespread reduction in cortical thickness, gyrification, and curvature. The aim of the present study was to combine data from two previous studies to replicate previous findings.

Methodology: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images from 46 adult women with AN and 54 age-matched healthy comparison (HC) women were analysed using FreeSurfer. Group differences in cortical volume and local cortical measures, including gyrification, curvature, thickness, and area, were examined controlling for dataset and age.

Results: The AN group had reduced global cortical volume relative to the HC group. The AN group also had reduction in local cortical gyrification, small localised clusters of reduced cortical thickness, in the occipital and parietal cortices, and surface area in the frontal and temporal cortices. The AN group also had increased cortical thickness in the ACC relative to the HC participants.

Conclusions: The present findings replicate and validate previous findings of reduced global cortical volume and local gyrification in acute AN. The findings highlight the need for further investigation of local cortical folding, thickness, and surface area in AN to gain further insight into the biological underpinnings of AN.

Keywords: anorexia nervosa; cortical folding; cortical surface area; cortical thickness; replication study.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Data synthesis flow chart
Figure 2
Figure 2
Global cortical volume in litres by group [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure 3
Figure 3
Group differences in local cortical thickness controlling for dataset and age [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure 4
Figure 4
Group differences in local gyrification index controlling for dataset and age [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
Figure 5
Figure 5
Group differences in local cortical surface area controlling for dataset and age [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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