Resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents with binge eating disorder: An exploratory null study

Binge eating disorder (BED) commonly emerges during adolescence, yet little is known about intrinsic brain network function in this developmental period. This study examined resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in adolescents with BED.

19 adolescents with BED and 20 sex-, age-, and BMI Z-score-matched controls (12-18 years) underwent resting-state fMRI. FC was examined using an exploratory ROI-to-ROI analysis, and eating disorder symptoms were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q).

No between-group differences in ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity survived false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons.

No robust alterations in resting-state FC were identified in adolescents with BED compared with healthy controls. However, given the modest sample size and limited temporal sampling, subtle connectivity differences cannot be excluded.