Neuroimaging studies of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in eating disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), and pica, are psychobehavioral conditions characterized by abnormal eating behaviors and an excessive preoccupation with weight and body shape. This review examines changes in brain regions and functional connectivity in ED patients over the past decade (2013-2023) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Key findings highlight alterations in brain networks such as the default mode network (DMN), central executive network (CEN), and emotion regulation network (ERN). In individuals with AN, there is reduced functional connectivity in areas associated with facial information processing and social cognition, alongside increased connectivity in regions linked to sensory stimulation, aesthetic judgment, and social anxiety. Conversely, BED patients show diminished connectivity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex within the salience network and increased connectivity in the posterior cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex within the DMN. These findings suggest that rs-fMRI could serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing brain function and predicting treatment outcomes in EDs, paving the way for personalized therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Brain networks; Eating disorders; Functional connectivity; Neuroimaging; Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Fig. 1

Search flowchart according to PRISMA principles

Fig. 2

Major brain regions associated with anorexia nervosa

Fig. 3

Specific brain regions associated with anorexia nervosa

Fig. 4

Major brain regions associated with bulimia nervosa

Fig. 5

Specific brain regions associated with bulimia nervosa

Fig. 6

Major brain regions associated with binge eating disorder

Fig. 7

Specific brain regions associated with bulimia nervosa

Fig. 8

This illustration synthesizes results from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that have addressed the connectivity of resting-state functional brain imaging in patients with eating disorders. Here, the connectogram is used to describe the study of increasing (up) and decreasing (down) changes in resting states, specific interbrain functional connectivity regions, and resting state networks(supplementary materials attached). dACC, dorsal anteriorcingulate cortex; SN, salience network; rSMG, right supramarginal gyrus; MPC, medial prefrontal cortex; PC, posterior cingulate; lMOGleft middle occipital gyrus; SMN, sensorimotor network; lSFG, Left superior frontal gyrus; RSNS, Visual network auditory resting state networks; DMN, default mode network; mOFC, medial orbitofrontal cortex; rPFC, right lateral prefrontal cortex; GOL, greater occipital lobe; IPL, inferior parietal lobule; lIPL, left inferior parietal lobule; rIPL, right inferior parietal lobule; lIOG, left inferior occipital gyrus; ECN, executive control network; DMPFC, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex; VTA, ventral tegmental area; lAG, left angular gyrus; AVP, anterior ventral pallidum; DLPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; aPFC, anterior prefrontal cortex; CEN, central executive network; CON, cingulo-opercular network; dlPFC, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; OBFC, orbito-frontal cortex; pgACC, pregenual anterior