Anorexia Nervosa and Brain in Adolescence

Anorexia nervosa is severe mental health problem with increased incidence rates in adolescence. Etiology of anorexia nervosa is still mostly unkonwn. Adolescence is also critical period of brain development.

Aims of this follow-up study are to investigate effects of anorexia nervosa on brain structure and functions in both acute and remission state of anorexia nervosa in adolescence.

Study group are young anorexia nervosa patients, and control group are healthy same-aged students.

Research methods include non-invasive brain imaging methods such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Other research methods are assessment of body composition, laboratory tests, self-rated questionnaires and psychiatric interview.

Inclusion criteria

Study group: 1) age 16-19 years, 2) BMI below 17.5, 3) diagnosis: anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa 4) diagnosed within last two years. Inclusion criteria.

Control group : 1) age 16-19 years, 2) BMI over 19.0, 3) No lifetime obesity (BMI over 30) nor eating disorder.

Exclusion criteria

• glucose metabolism disorder or any chronic medical disorder, or medicine with possible effects on neurotransmitters, 2) previous mental health problem (excluded anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa in study group), 3) smoking, nicotine products, alcohol or any other substance abuse or dependence, 4) contraindication for used brain imaging method.