Electroencephalographic correlates of body shape concerns: an eLORETA functional connectivity study
Claudio Imperatori1, Angelo Panno1, Marta Giacchini1
1Cognitive and Clinical Psychology Laboratory, Department of Human Science, European University of Rome, Via degli Aldobrandeschi 190, 00163 Rome, Italy.
Cognitive Neurodynamics
|October 5, 2020
Summary
Body shape concerns in university students are linked to heightened gamma functional connectivity in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Body image concerns are prevalent among university students.
- Understanding the neurophysiological underpinnings of these concerns is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body shape concerns and brain functional connectivity.
- To explore the role of the body image network in psychopathological dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record resting-state brain activity in 68 university students.
- Participants completed self-report measures for body shape concerns, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
- Exact low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA) software was employed for EEG analysis.
Main Results:
- A positive association was found between body shape concerns and increased gamma functional connectivity between the left and right prefrontal cortex (PFC).
- This EEG pattern remained significant after controlling for confounding variables, suggesting an independent relationship.
Conclusions:
- Increased EEG gamma connectivity in the PFC may be a neurophysiological marker associated with dysfunctional body shape concerns.
- This finding contributes to understanding the neural basis of body image disturbances.
