BackgroundDysregulated appetite control is characteristic of anorexia nervosa (AN) and obesity (OB). Studies using a broad range of methods suggest the cerebellum plays an important role in appetite control, and it is implicated in both AN and OB with reports of aberrant grey matter volume (GMV) compared to non-clinical populations. As functions of the cerebellum are anatomically segregated, specific localization of aberrant anatomy may indicate how it affects appetite control in different states.ObjectiveTo determine if there were consistencies in regions of cerebellar GMV changes affected in AN and OB, and across normative variation.Methodsystematic review and meta-analysis using Ginger ALE.ResultsTwenty publications were identified as either case-control studies (with total n=619) or regressed weight from normative data against brain volume (with total n=3,518). AN and OB analyses both showed consistently decreased GMV within the left cerebellum, but volume reduction was anterior for AN and posterior for OB, with minimal overlap. Analysis of the normative dataset identified a cluster in right posterior lobe.DiscussionThese findings suggest that more than one area of the cerebellum is involved in control of eating behaviour and is differentially affected in normal variation and pathological conditions. Specifically, we hypothesise an association with sensorimotor and emotional learning in AN, but with executive function in OB.
Recent research reports Anorexia Nervosa (AN) to be highly dependent upon neurobiological function. Some behaviours, particularly concerning food selectivity are found in populations with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and AN, and there is a proportionally elevated number of anorexic patients exhibiting symptoms of ASD. We performed a systematic review of structural MRI literature with the aim of identifying common structural neural correlates common to both AN and ASD. Across 46 ASD publications, a meta-analysis of volumetric differences between ASD and healthy controls revealed no consistently affected brain regions. Meta-analysis of 23 AN publications revealed increased volume within the orbitofrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe, and adult-only AN literature revealed differences within the genu of the anterior cingulate cortex. The changes are consistent with alterations in flexible reward-related learning and episodic memory reported in neuropsychological studies. There was no structural overlap between ASD and AN. Findings suggest no consistent neuroanatomical abnormality associated with ASD, and evidence is lacking to suggest that reported behavioural similarities between those with AN and ASD are due to neuroanatomical structural similarities.
Recent research reports Anorexia Nervosa (AN) to be highly dependent upon neurobiological function. Some behaviours, particularly concerning food selectivity are found in populations with both Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and AN, and there is a proportionally elevated number of anorexic patients exhibiting symptoms of ASD. We performed a systematic review of structural MRI literature with the aim of identifying common structural neural correlates common to both AN and ASD. Across 46 ASD publications, a meta-analysis of volumetric differences between ASD and healthy controls revealed no consistently affected brain regions. Meta-analysis of 23 AN publications revealed increased volume within the orbitofrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe, and adult-only AN literature revealed differences within the genu of the anterior cingulate cortex. The changes are consistent with alterations in flexible reward-related learning and episodic memory reported in neuropsychological studies. There was no structural overlap between ASD and AN. Findings suggest no consistent neuroanatomical abnormality associated with ASD, and evidence is lacking to suggest that reported behavioural similarities between those with AN and ASD are due to neuroanatomical structural similarities.
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