Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
07:46
Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
15.1K
Nutritional Status Affects Cortical Folding: Lessons Learned From Anorexia Nervosa.
Fabio Bernardoni1, Joseph A King1, Daniel Geisler1
1Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Biological Psychiatry
|June 19, 2018
Summary
Cortical folding changes in anorexia nervosa (AN) are primarily linked to nutritional status, not permanent brain alterations. Recovery through weight restoration normalizes these structural brain differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Cortical folding patterns are generally stable post-birth, making deviations in psychiatric disorders potential biomarkers.
- Anorexia nervosa (AN) exhibits rapid brain structure changes, offering a model to study environmental impacts on cortical folding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of nutritional status on cortical folding in anorexia nervosa.
- To reconcile discordant findings from previous studies on cortical folding in AN.
Main Methods:
- Vertexwise analysis of local gyrification index and mean curvature in acutely ill AN patients, recovered AN patients, and controls.
- Longitudinal assessment of cortical folding changes following partial weight restoration in AN patients.
Main Results:
- Acutely ill AN patients showed reduced gyrification, which normalized after partial weight restoration.
- Weight restoration significantly predicted the restoration of normal gyrification.
- Mean curvature analyses supported the findings from gyrification index.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional status significantly influences cortical folding in anorexia nervosa.
- Cortical organization changes in AN reflect nutritional state rather than permanent traits.
- Future gyrification studies should account for environmental factors like nutritional status.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
1.3K
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.3K
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
788
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
788
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
47.4K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
47.4K
01:22Protein Folding
128.0K
Overview
128.0K
01:25Protein Folding
11.6K
Proteins are chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Upon synthesis, a protein folds into a three-dimensional conformation, critical to its biological function. Interactions between its constituent amino acids guide protein folding, and hence the protein structure is primarily dependent on its amino acid sequence.
Protein Structure Is Critical to Its Biological Function
Proteins perform a wide range of biological functions such as catalyzing chemical reactions, providing...
Protein Structure Is Critical to Its Biological Function
Proteins perform a wide range of biological functions such as catalyzing chemical reactions, providing...
11.6K
03:00Molecular Chaperones and Protein Folding
19.9K
The native conformation of a protein is formed by interactions between the side chains of its constituent amino acids. When the amino acids cannot form these interactions, the protein cannot fold by itself and needs chaperones. Notably, chaperones do not relay any additional information required for the folding of polypeptides; the native conformation of a protein is determined solely by its amino acid sequence. Chaperones catalyze protein folding without being a part of the folded protein.
The...
The...
19.9K