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Meta-analysis of structural MRI studies in anorexia nervosa and the role of recovery: a systematic review protocol

Year: 2021
Type: review
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with structural brain abnormalities. Studies have reported less cerebral tissue and more cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in individuals with AN relative to healthy controls, although findings are variable and inconsistent due to variations in sample size, age, and disease state (e.g., active AN, weight-recovered AN). Further, it remains unclear if structural brain abnormalities observed in AN are a consequence of specific brain pathologies or malnutrition, as very few longitudinal neuroimaging studies in AN have been completed. METHODS: To overcome this issue, this comprehensive meta-analysis will combine region-of-interest (ROI) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) approaches to understand how regional and global structural brain abnormalities differ among individuals with AN and healthy controls (HCs). Additionally, we aim to understand how clinical characteristics and physiological changes during the course of illness, including acute illness vs. weight recovery, may moderate these structural abnormalities. We will create an online database of studies that have investigated structural brain abnormalities in AN. Data will be reviewed independently by two members of our team using MEDLINE databases, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL. We will conduct ROI and VBM meta-analysis using seed-based d mapping in AN and HCs. We will include all studies that include structural neuroimaging of individuals with AN (both acute and weight-recovered) and HCs between January 1997 and 2020. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will assess the effects of AN compared to HC on brain structure. Futhermore, it will explore the role of acute AN and weight-recovered AN on brain structure. Findings will help researchers and clinicians to better understand the course of illness in AN and the nature of recovery, in terms of weight, malnutrition, and the state of the brain. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020180921.
DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01799-y
Authors: Melissa J Dreier, Avery L. Van De Water, Danielle L. Kahn, Kendra R. Becker, Kamryn T. Eddy, Jennifer J. Thomas, Laura M. Holsen, Elizabeth A. Lawson, Madhusmita Misra, Amanda E. Lyall, Lauren Breithaupt
Institutions: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of Iowa, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Yeshiva University
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
Funders: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, International OCD Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Awards: G1597684046, G2776647444, Translational Neuroscience Training for Clinicians, G3549828030, G4436215188, Mentoring and Neuroimaging Research on White Matter Pathology in Schizophrenia, Neurobiology of avoidant/restrictive eating in youth, Neuroimaging of the Biological Correlates of Early Psychosis: A MR-PET Study, Boston Area Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC)
OpenAlex ID: W3200738189
FWCI: 0.033
Cites: 29
Cited by: 4
Related to: 10