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Published on: November 27, 2019
Regional brain volumes in body dysmorphic disorder compared to controls
Ben Buchanan1, Susan Rossell2, Jerome J Maller3
1Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia ben@benbuchanan.com.au.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is linked to smaller brain regions, including the orbitofrontal cortex and thalamus. These volumetric differences in fronto-limbic circuits may underlie BDD symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) involves preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws, causing distress and disability.
- Neuropsychological studies indicate deficits in executive function and emotional inhibitory control in BDD.
- Previous structural neuroimaging studies on BDD have yielded inconclusive findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advance structural neuroimaging research in BDD by providing high-quality volumetric data.
- To investigate regional brain volume differences between individuals with BDD and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of 20 BDD participants and 20 matched controls using high-resolution structural T1-weighted MRI.
- Application of Freesurfer software for cortical reconstruction and volumetric segmentation.
Main Results:
- Significantly smaller volumes observed in the right orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral thalamus, left anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala in the BDD group.
- Pronounced reductions in the right orbitofrontal cortex and left anterior cingulate cortex were independent of global brain volume.
- Illness duration negatively correlated with right orbitofrontal cortex volumes.
Conclusions:
- This study represents the largest volumetric neuroimaging investigation in BDD to date.
- Findings provide crucial data on volumetric differences implicating fronto-limbic circuits in BDD.
- Structural brain alterations may contribute to the pathophysiology of body dysmorphic disorder.
