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Eating disorder psychopathology, brain structure, neuropsychological correlates and risk mechanisms in very preterm

Nadia Micali1, Radha Kothari, Kie Woo Nam

  • 1Behavioural and Brain Sciences Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.

European Eating Disorders Review : the Journal of the Eating Disorders Association
|February 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Very preterm (VPT) individuals show high rates of eating disorder (ED) psychopathology. Brain imaging reveals structural differences in cerebellum and fusiform gyrus, suggesting neurobiological links to ED risk in VPT populations.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Very preterm (VPT) birth (<33 weeks gestation) is associated with various developmental challenges.
  • Eating disorder (ED) psychopathology is a significant concern in young adulthood.
  • Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings and risk factors for ED in VPT populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of ED psychopathology in a prospective cohort of VPT young adults.
  • To examine neuropsychological function, structural brain correlates, and risk mechanisms associated with ED in VPT individuals.
  • To identify potential pathways from perinatal factors to ED symptomatology.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 143 individuals born <33 weeks gestation.
  • Assessment of ED psychopathology and neuropsychological function at age 21 years.
  • Analysis of structural brain correlates (grey and white matter volume) and risk factors (perinatal, childhood, adolescence) using prospectively collected data.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of ED psychopathology observed in VPT young adults.
  • No correlation found between executive function and ED symptomatology.
  • VPT adults with ED psychopathology exhibited smaller grey matter volume in the left posterior cerebellum and bilateral fusiform gyrus at age 14/15 years.
  • Caesarean delivery predicted compensatory behaviors; severe eating difficulty at age 14 predicted young adult ED symptomatology.

Conclusions:

  • VPT individuals are at elevated risk for ED symptomatology.
  • Associated structural brain alterations in posterior brain regions are evident in VPT adults with ED psychopathology.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the pathways from perinatal complications to ED and associated neurobiological mechanisms.

Keywords:
brain structureeating disordersneuropsychologyperinatal complicationspreterm

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