New Insights in Anorexia Nervosa

Assessing biomarkers of remission in female patients with anorexia nervosa (REMANO): a protocol for a prospective cohort study with a nested case-control study using clinical, neurocognitive, biological, genetic, epigenetic and neuroimaging markers in a French specialised inpatient unit

BACKGROUND

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with frequent relapses and variability in treatment responses. Previous literature suggested that such variability is influenced by premorbid vulnerabilities such as abnormalities of the reward system. Several factors may indicate these vulnerabilities, such as neurocognitive markers (tendency to favour delayed reward, poor cognitive flexibility, abnormal decision process), genetic and epigenetic markers, biological and hormonal markers, and physiological markers.The present study will aim to identify markers that can predict body mass index (BMI) stability 6 months after discharge. The secondary aim of this study will be focused on characterising the biological, genetic, epigenetic and neurocognitive markers of remission in AN.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

One hundred and twenty-five (n=125) female adult inpatients diagnosed with AN will be recruited and evaluated at three different times: at the beginning of hospitalisation, when discharged and 6 months later. Depending on the BMI at the third visit, patients will be split into two groups: stable remission (BMI≥18.5 kg/m²) or unstable remission (BMI<18.5 kg/m²). One hundred (n=100) volunteers will be included as healthy controls.Each visit will consist in self-reported inventories (measuring depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and feelings, eating disorders symptoms, exercise addiction and the presence of comorbidities), neurocognitive tasks (Delay Discounting Task, Trail-Making Test, Brixton Test and Slip-of-action Task), the collection of blood samples, the repeated collection of blood samples around a standard meal and MRI scans at rest and while resolving a delay discounting task.Analyses will mainly consist in comparing patients stabilised 6 months later and patients who relapsed during these 6 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Investigators will ask all participants to give written informed consent prior to participation, and all data will be recorded anonymously. The study will be conducted according to ethics recommendations from the Helsinki declaration (World Medical Association, 2013). It was registered on clinicaltrials.gov on 25 August 2020 as 'Remission Factors in Anorexia Nervosa (REMANO)', with the identifier NCT04560517 (for more details, see https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04560517). The present article is based on the latest protocol version from 29 November 2019. The sponsor, Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM, https://www.inserm.fr/), is an academic institution responsible for the monitoring of the study, with an audit planned on a yearly basis.The results will be published after final analysis in the form of scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and may be presented at national and international conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

clinicaltrials.govNCT04560517.

Association of mental disorders with sepsis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study

Background

Substantial research evidence supports the correlation between mental disorders and sepsis. Nevertheless, the causal connection between a particular psychological disorder and sepsis remains unclear.

Methods

For investigating the causal relationships between mental disorders and sepsis, genetic variants correlated with mental disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BD), major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and tourette syndrome (TS), were all extracted from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). The causal estimates and direction between these mental disorders and sepsis were evaluated employing a two-sample bidirectional MR strategy. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary approach utilized. Various sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the validity of the causal effect. Meta-analysis, multivariable MR, and mediation MR were conducted to ensure the credibility and depth of this research.

Results

The presence of AN was in relation to a greater likelihood of sepsis (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14; p = 0.013). A meta-analysis including validation cohorts supported this observation (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02-1.09). None of the investigated mental disorders appeared to be impacted when sepsis was set as the exposure factor. Even after adjusting for confounding factors, AN remained statistically significant (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15; p = 0.013). Mediation analysis indicated N-formylmethionine levels (with a mediated proportion of 7.47%), cystatin D levels (2.97%), ketogluconate Metabolism (17.41%) and N10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis (20.06%) might serve as mediators in the pathogenesis of AN-sepsis.

Conclusion

At the gene prediction level, two-sample bidirectional MR analysis revealed that mental disorder AN had a causal association with an increased likelihood of sepsis. In addition, N-formylmethionine levels, cystatin D levels, ketogluconate metabolism and N10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate biosynthesis may function as potential mediators in the pathophysiology of AN-sepsis. Our research may contribute to the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies for mental illness and sepsis.

[Anorexia nervosa: An addiction? Application of the addiction model to eating disorders. A narrative commented review]

OBJECTIVES

Addiction offers a framework for the understanding of eating disorders, particularly those characterized by hyperphagia, with growing interest in food addiction. However, the application of the addiction model to anorexia nervosa remains more controversial. In this commented narrative review, we examine and discuss the addictive features of anorexia nervosa.

METHODS

Commented narrative review of the literature.

RESULTS

Anorexia nervosa could be the consequence of the loss of control of several objects of positive reinforcement: food restriction, physical hyperactivity, and food itself. Craving has been little studied in the field of eating disorders. When investigated, studies mainly focus on food cravings and tend to highlight food cravings that are inversely correlated with the restrictive nature of the disorder. This would thus be less found in anorexia nervosa, in which it is nevertheless reported. The existence of a pre-existing food craving, or its appearance secondary to food restriction, is currently under discussion. In the meantime, the question of a craving for food restriction, underpinned by the gratifying effect of fasting, is raised.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of eating disorders has its place within the addiction care sectors. An integrative approach should be favored, for anorexia nervosa, combining, on the one hand, classic nutritional care, and, on the other hand, care within the framework of addiction treatment. Finally, in people with an eating disorder, the search for an addiction to food, food restriction and physical activity, including a systematic assessment of craving, should be systematized.

Effects of Age-Dependent Hormonal Changes and Estrogen Supplementation on Voice in Girls with Anorexia Nervosa-Preliminary Report

INTRODUCTION

Human development includes lots of physical and emotional changes. The human voice depends on age. Voice production is a complex physiological and acoustic phenomenon that depends on many factors such as structure, hormone level, degree of fatigue or nutrition and hydration of the body, systemic diseases, and emotional state. All these factors can be present in anorexia nervosa (AN), such as excessive weight loss, generated hydro-electrolytic changes, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal disturbances in the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and emotional distress. The prevalence of AN ranges between 0.3% and 3%, and it is the third most common chronic disease affecting adolescent girls. However, voice changes related to AN have not been fully investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of AN on age-related changes in the voice of adolescent women-before and after puberty, particularly through acoustic analysis. An additional objective was to evaluate estrogen substitution in female patients with AN in order to investigate their effect on voice condition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

126 girls diagnosed with AN (15.32 ± 2.12 years, range 12-19, BMI = 14.38 ± 1.67), were assessed for the condition of the voice such as perceptual voice evaluation on the GRBAS scale, maximal phonation time (MPT), laryngoscopy, with special attention to voice acoustic analysis-Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). The control group (B) included 93 girls without eating disturbances (aged 12-19, mean age 15.52 ± 2.40, BMI = 21.50 ± 1.54). Perceptual voice assessment, aerodynamic test MPT, and acoustic parameters were analyzed in age groups (≤16 years and >16 years). The human vocal tract is sensitive to sex hormones, so the analysis was carried out in the group up to the age of 16 and above 16 to check possible effects.

RESULTS

GRBAS scale was higher in girls with AN compared to the control group for breathiness (B) (P = 0.0002) and asthenia (A) (P < 0.05). The median GRBAS scale for the older group of anorexic women was the highest (2.0). The mean MPT for group A was significantly lower (15.40 ± 3.51 seconds). Comparing age subgroups there was a prolongation of MPT in the healthy group (in groups ≤16 years and >16 years respectively 21.13 seconds versus 25.40 seconds) and a shortening in the anorectic group (≤16 years versus >16 years: 17.06 seconds versus 14.17 seconds). There was no difference between groups A and C up to 16 years of age, but above 16 years of age appeared (14.17 seconds versus 25.40 seconds). Acoustic analysis revealed lower F0 values in group A and C in older subgroups (215,85 Hz versus 236,01 Hz-statistically significant), as well as between subgroups both groups (A: 251,38 Hz versus 215,85 Hz; C: 248,20 Hz versus 236,01 Hz). A narrowing of the vocal range in girls over 16 years in group A was observed. There were no statistically significant differences in F0 between subgroups ≤16 years in groups A and C (251.38 Hz versus 248.20 Hz). The ENT study found that more than half of the girls (54.55%) over the age of 16 who took hormone supplementation manifested laryngeal structure that was normal for their age, there was no effect of hormone supplementation on any of the MDVP parameters between the drug-taking and non-drug-taking groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The acoustic results of the voice in MDVP measurements in adolescent women with AN are not within the normal range and do not mimic the normal developmental changes of the voice. The most important acoustic characteristics of the voice are changes in the fundamental frequency F0 and the range of the voice tended to be more severe in anorectic women >16 years of age and to increase with age, indicating a possible cumulative effect of malnutrition-related disorders as well as hormonal dysfunctions. MDVP can be considered a simple, non-invasive method of assessing the voice organ in AN. MPT differentiated the study groups well: statistically significant differences were noted both between the groups, as well as between age groups. There was no significant effect of oral hormone supplementation on any parameters of the voice. In conclusion, body mass and fat volume in AN may be related to voice production/physiology, affecting voice quality, voice acoustic parameters, voice aerodynamics, and phonatory range in an age-dependent manner. Future studies are needed to assess the long-term efficacy of estrogen treatment in AN.

Associations of Physical Activity and Heart Rate Variability from a Two-Week ECG Monitor with Cognitive Function and Dementia: the ARIC Neurocognitive Study

BACKGROUND

Low physical activity (PA) measured from accelerometers and low heart rate variability (HRV) measured from short-term ECG recordings are associated with worse cognitive function. Wearable long-term ECG monitors are now widely used. These monitors can provide long-term HRV data and, if embedded with an accelerometer, they can also provide PA data. Whether PA or HRV measured from long-term ECG monitors is associated with cognitive function among older adults is unknown.

METHODS

Free-living PA and HRV were measured simultaneously over 14-days using the Zio ® XT Patch among 1590 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study [aged 72-94 years, 58% female, 32% Black]. Total amount of PA was estimated by total mean amplitude deviation (TMAD) from the 14-day accelerometry raw data. HRV indices (SDNN and rMSSD) were measured from the 14-day ECG raw data. Cognitive factor scores for global cognition, executive function, language, and memory were derived using latent variable methods. Dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) status was adjudicated. Linear or multinomial regression models examined whether higher PA or higher HRV was cross-sectionally associated with higher factor scores or lower odds of MCI/dementia. Models were adjusted for demographic and medical comorbidities.

RESULTS

Each 1-unit higher in total amount of PA was significantly associated with 0.30 higher global cognition factor scores (95% CI: 0.16-0.44), 0.38 higher executive function factor scores (95% CI: 0.22-0.53), and 62% lower odds of MCI (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22-0.67) or 75% lower odds of dementia (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.74) versus unimpaired cognition. Neither HRV measure was significantly associated with cognitive function or dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

PA derived from a 2-week ECG monitor with an embedded accelerometer was significantly associated with higher cognitive test performance and lower odds of MCI/dementia among older adults. By contrast, HRV indices measured over 2 weeks were not significantly associated with cognitive outcomes. More research is needed to define the role of wearable ECG monitors as a tool for digital phenotyping of dementia.

CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

What Is New?: This cross-sectional study evaluated associations between physical activity (PA) and heart rate variability (HRV) measured over 14 days from a wearable ECG monitor with cognitive function.Higher total amount of PA was associated with higher global cognition and executive function, as well as lower odds of mild cognitive impairment or dementia.HRV indices measured over 2 weeks were not significantly associated with cognitive outcomes.What Are the Clinical Implications?: These findings replicate positive associations between PA and cognitive function using accelerometer data from a wearable ECG monitor with an embedded accelerometer.These findings raise the possibility of using wearable ECG monitors (with embedded accelerometers) as a promising tool for digital phenotyping of dementia.

Dietary fatty acid composition drives neuroinflammation and impaired behavior in obesity

Nutrient composition in obesogenic diets may influence the severity of disorders associated with obesity such as insulin-resistance and chronic inflammation. Here we hypothesized that obesogenic diets rich in fat and varying in fatty acid composition, particularly in omega 6 (ω6) to omega 3 (ω3) ratio, have various effects on energy metabolism, neuroinflammation and behavior. Mice were fed either a control diet or a high fat diet (HFD) containing either low (LO), medium (ME) or high (HI) ω6/ω3 ratio. Mice from the HFD-LO group consumed less calories and exhibited less body weight gain compared to other HFD groups. Both HFD-ME and HFD-HI impaired glucose metabolism while HFD-LO partly prevented insulin intolerance and was associated with normal leptin levels despite higher subcutaneous and perigonadal adiposity. Only HFD-HI increased anxiety and impaired spatial memory, together with increased inflammation in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Our results show that impaired glucose metabolism and neuroinflammation are uncoupled, and support that diets with a high ω6/ω3 ratio are associated with neuroinflammation and the behavioral deterioration coupled with the consumption of diets rich in fat.

A new conceptual model for anorexia nervosa: A role for connective tissue?

The etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) remains to be fully elucidated, and current theories also fail to account for the direct effect of starvation on the health of the organs and tissues, specifically the connective tissue present in most organs of the body. Individuals with hereditary disorders of connective tissue manifest with clinical symptoms that overlap with AN, as the abnormal connective tissue also contributes to many of the other extra-articular manifestations of these hereditary disorders. This article hypothesizes that a similar pathophysiology may also contribute to the clinical presentation of AN. Therefore, a better understanding is needed to elucidate: (1) the relationship between abnormal connective tissue and AN, (2) the impact of starvation toward the development of abnormal connective tissue and how this manifests clinically, (3) the etiology of autonomic nervous system changes contributing to the dysautonomia in AN, and (4) how the sensory signals sent from potentially abnormal connective tissue to the central nervous system impact interoception in AN. A conceptual model incorporating abnormal connective tissue is provided. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The etiology of AN remains poorly understood and current theories fail to account for the direct impact of starvation on the health of the organs and tissues of the body. There is significant clinical overlap between AN and hereditary connective tissue disorders. This paper attempts to provide a new conceptual model for AN in which abnormal connective tissue contributes to the underlying pathogenesis.

Vegetarianism and eating disorders: The subjective experience of healthcare professionals

Vegetarianism is growing dramatically among adolescents and young adults. Professionals specialized in eating disorders (ED) may routinely face patients adhering to these popular vegetarian practices. This qualitative study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' subjective experience of vegetarianism in ED patients. Interviews of practitioners specialized in ED, recruited from the French federation of anorexia and bulimia (FFAB), were conducted using a semi-structured guide. We reached data saturation. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze patterns of meaning in the dataset. Eighteen professionals (dieticians, physician-nutritionists, and a psychiatrist) with private or institutional practices were interviewed. Three meta-themes emerged from our thematic analysis: (1) heterogeneous perceptions of vegetarianism among healthcare professionals, (2) diverse nutritional care practices, (3) factors influencing professionals' nutritional strategies and approaches. This original qualitative and exploratory study reported vegetarianism is a fast-growing phenomenon observed in a majority of adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa, with various underlying motivations reported. In all cases, the nature of the timing and relation between the vegetarian practices and the ED should be carefully assessed, using specific tools. Because of the ethical dimension of this issue and the risk of professional bias, institutional policy based on specific practice guidelines, to be developed, are strongly encouraged.

Cortical Reorganization after Limb Loss: Bridging the Gap between Basic Science and Clinical Recovery

Despite the increasing incidence and prevalence of amputation across the globe, individuals with acquired limb loss continue to struggle with functional recovery and chronic pain. A more complete understanding of the motor and sensory remodeling of the peripheral and central nervous system that occurs postamputation may help advance clinical interventions to improve the quality of life for individuals with acquired limb loss. The purpose of this article is to first provide background clinical context on individuals with acquired limb loss and then to provide a comprehensive review of the known motor and sensory neural adaptations from both animal models and human clinical trials. Finally, the article bridges the gap between basic science researchers and clinicians that treat individuals with limb loss by explaining how current clinical treatments may restore function and modulate phantom limb pain using the underlying neural adaptations described above. This review should encourage the further development of novel treatments with known neurological targets to improve the recovery of individuals postamputation.Significance Statement In the United States, 1.6 million people live with limb loss; this number is expected to more than double by 2050. Improved surgical procedures enhance recovery, and new prosthetics and neural interfaces can replace missing limbs with those that communicate bidirectionally with the brain. These advances have been fairly successful, but still most patients experience persistent problems like phantom limb pain, and others discontinue prostheses instead of learning to use them daily. These problematic patient outcomes may be due in part to the lack of consensus among basic and clinical researchers regarding the plasticity mechanisms that occur in the brain after amputation injuries. Here we review results from clinical and animal model studies to bridge this clinical-basic science gap.

The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Anorexia Nervosa in Children and Adults-Systematic Review

Among the factors incriminated in the appearance of eating disorders, intestinal microbiota has recently been implicated. Now there is evidence that the composition of gut microbiota is different in anorexia nervosa. We gathered many surveys on the changes in the profile of gut microbiota in patients with anorexia nervosa. This review comprehensively examines the contemporary experimental evidence concerning the bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the brain. Drawing from recent breakthroughs in this area of research, we propose that the gut microbiota significantly contributes to the intricate interplay between the body and the brain, thereby contributing to overall healthy homeostasis while concurrently impacting disease risk, including anxiety and mood disorders. Particular attention is devoted to elucidating the structure and functional relevance of the gut microbiota in the context of Anorexia Nervosa.

Microbiota in anorexia nervosa: potential for treatment

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by the restriction of energy intake in relation to energy needs and a significantly lowered body weight than normally expected, coupled with an intense fear of gaining weight. Treatment of AN is currently based on psychological and refeeding approaches, but their efficacy remains limited since 40% of patients after 10 years of medical care still present symptoms of AN. The intestine hosts a large community of microorganisms, called the "microbiota", which live in symbiosis with the human host. The gut microbiota of a healthy human is dominated by bacteria from two phyla: Firmicutes and, majorly, Bacteroidetes. However, the proportion in their representation differs on an individual basis and depends on many external factors including medical treatment, geographical location and hereditary, immunological and lifestyle factors. Drastic changes in dietary intake may profoundly impact the composition of the gut microbiota, and the resulting dysbiosis may play a part in the onset and/or maintenance of comorbidities associated with AN, such as gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety and depression, as well as appetite dysregulation. Furthermore, studies have reported the presence of atypical intestinal microbial composition in patients with AN compared with healthy normal-weight controls. This review addresses the current knowledge about the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and treatment of AN. The review also focuses on the bidirectional interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system (microbiota-gut-brain axis), considering the potential use of the gut microbiota manipulation in the prevention and treatment of AN.

Overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 30 476 individuals from 18 countries

Background

To date, no previous meta-analysis has determined the overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms on a global scale. The aim of the present study was 2-fold: first, to establish the overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms on a global scale, assessed with the ORTO-15 questionnaire; and second, to determine the role of sex, type of population, mean age, body mass index, and the temporal trend in relation to orthorexia nervosa symptoms.

Methods

Four databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) with date limits from January 2005 to June 2023. Studies assessing the proportion of orthorexia nervosa assessed using the ORTO-15 questionnaire with a cutoff of <35 or <40 points were included in this review.

Results

The overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms (using the cutoff <35 points) was 27.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 23.5-31.6, I2 = 97.0%). In addition, no significant differences were observed between females (34.6%, 95% CI = 29.5-39.8, I2 = 96.1%) and males (32.1%, 95% CI = 26.5-38.1, I2 = 93.1%). According to the type of population, the highest overall proportion was found in people focused on sports performance or body composition (34.5%, 95% CI = 23.1-47.0, I2 = 98.0%). Notwithstanding, caution should be exercised in interpreting this result, as reverse causality could be a potential pitfall in this relationship.

Conclusions

We found that approximately three out of 10 study participants showed orthorexia nervosa symptoms according to the ORTO-15 tool. This overall proportion was higher in those participants who were athletes or fitness practitioners. Over the years, the proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms seems to be increasing. These high percentages and their increase are worrisome from a public health perspective and highlight the need to develop psychometric instruments to aid in clinical diagnosis and treatment efficacy.

Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022350873).

Male mice engaging differently in emotional eating present distinct plasmatic and neurological profiles

Objective: Stressed individuals tend to turn to calorie-rich food, also known as 'comfort food' for the temporary relief it provides. The emotional eating drive is highly variable among subjects. Using a rodent model, we explored the plasmatic and neurobiological differences between 'high and low emotional eaters' (HEE and LEE).Methods: 40 male mice were exposed for 5 weeks to a protocol of unpredictable chronic mild stress. Every 3 or 4 days, they were submitted to a 1-h restraint stress, immediately followed by a 3-h period during which a choice between chow and chocolate sweet cereals was proposed. The dietary intake was measured by weighing. Plasmatic and neurobiological characteristics were compared in mice displaying high vs low intakes.Results: Out of 40 mice, 8 were considered as HEE because of their high post-stress eating score, and 8 as LEE because of their consistent low intake. LEE displayed higher plasma corticosterone and lower levels of NPY than HEE, but acylated and total ghrelin were similar in both groups. In the brain, the abundance of NPY neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus was similar in both groups, but was higher in the ventral hippocampus and the basal lateral amygdala of LEE. The lateral hypothalamus LEE had also more orexin (OX) positive neurons. Both NPY and OX are orexigenic peptides and mood regulators.Discussion: Emotional eating difference was reflected in plasma and brain structures implicated in emotion and eating regulation. These results concur with the psychological side of food consumption.

The Association between Blood SIRT1 and Ghrelin, Leptin, and Antibody Anti-Hypothalamus: A Comparison in Normal Weight and Anorexia Nervosa

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a sensor of cell energy availability, regulating metabolic homeostasis as well as leptin and ghrelin, and it could be considered as a potential plasmatic marker. The aim of this study was to assess whether circulating SIRT1 varies consistently with leptin, ghrelin, body mass index (BMI), and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens in anorexia nervosa (AN). Fifty-four subjects were evaluated: 32 with AN and 22 normal-weight control subjects. Serum levels of SIRT1, leptin, ghrelin, and IgG reactive to hypothalamic antigens were evaluated by ELISA. Results showed that serum SIRT1 is increased in patients with AN, and the amount is decreased in relation to the duration of the illness. SIRT1 concentration approaches the values obtained for the control group, although the difference is still statistically significant. A negative correlation between serum SIRT1 values and leptin or BMI values has been found. On the contrary, a positive correlation between SIRT1 and ghrelin or IgG specific for hypothalamic antigens is reported. These findings suggest that a peripheral evaluation of SIRT1 could be a possible clinical/biochemical parameter related to AN. In addition, we can assume that SIRT1 is related to autoantibody production and may correlate with the intensity/severity of AN. Thus, reducing the production of autoantibodies specific for hypothalamic cells could be a sign of improvement of the clinical condition.

Acoustics Features of Voice in Adolescent Females With Anorexia Nervosa

INTRODUCTION

The process of human voice production is a complex physiological and acoustic phenomenon that depends on many structural, physical, and hormonal factors, systemic diseases as well as emotional states. All these factors can be present in eating disorders. However, studies on eating disorders and voice problems have usually been evaluated in terms of bulimia. Chronic starvation and emotional problems in the course of anorexia nervosa (AN) appear to be under-researched, despite various biochemical, metabolic, and hormonal changes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate voice quality, specifically acoustic analysis, in adolescent female with AN from the point of view of the possible influence on the function and structure of the larynx, low body mass accompanying AN, as well as energy deficiency, hormonal and emotional disturbances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 84 girls diagnosed with AN (Gr.A) (15.32 years, SD = 2.12; range 12-19, BMI = 14.11 ± 1.72) were assessed for the condition of the voice such as perceptual voice evaluation on the GRBAS scale, maximal phonation time (MPT), laryngoscopy, with special attention to voice acoustic analysis - Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP). The control group (Gr.C) included 62 girls without eating disturbances (aged 12-19, mean age 15.41 ± 2.40, BMI = 21.60 ± 1.92). Perceptual voice assessment, aerodynamic test MPT, and acoustic parameters were analyzed according to girls' age.

RESULTS

Total GRBAS scale was higher in girls with AN compared to the control group mainly for two parameters: breathiness (B) (P = 0.00015) and asthenia (A) (P < 0.05). The MPT for Gr.A was significantly shorter compared to Gr.C (15.40 ± 3.51 seconds vs. 23.19 ± 5.17 seconds) (P < 0.001), and a correlation of MPT values with the age of the adolescent female was observed: Spearman's coefficient for Gr.A = (-)0.5378, for Gr.C = 0.5516 (P = 0.0012). Acoustic analysis revealed the decrease in the basic frequency F0 in Gr.A compared to Gr.C (231.08 Hz vs. 242.30 Hz), and narrowing of the voice scale was observed, resulting mainly from a reduction in the upper limit. Significant differences were found for measures of frequency perturbations (Jita, Jitter, RPA, PPQ, sPPR), with Gr.A scoring significantly higher than Gr.C (P < 0.05 for all). Significant changes in voice acoustic analysis parameters were found with age. Negative correlations were found for measures of F0 for Gr.A to a much greater extent compared to Gr.C. Positive correlations were found with measures of tremor assessment (SPI, FTRI, ATRI) for Gr.A.

Adapting a mobile app to support patients with anorexia nervosa following post-acute care: perspectives from eating disorder treatment center stakeholders

Introduction

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a harmful, life-threatening illness. Patients with severe AN often receive acute treatment but, upon discharge, experience high relapse rates. Evidence-based, outpatient treatment following acute care is critical to preventing relapse; however, numerous barriers (e.g., location, financial limitations, low availability of providers) preclude individuals from accessing treatment. mHealth technologies may help to address these barriers, but research on such digital approaches for those with AN is limited. Further, such technologies should be developed with all relevant stakeholder input considered from the outset. As such, the present study aimed to garner feedback from eating disorder (ED) treatment center providers on (1) the process of discharging patients to outpatient services, (2) their experiences with technology as a treatment tool, and (3) how future mHealth technologies may be harnessed to offer the most benefit to patients in the post-acute period.

Methods

Participants (N = 11, from 7 ED treatment centers across the United States) were interviewed. To analyze the data for this study, each interview was manually transcribed and analyzed using components of Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis framework (Braun & Clarke, 2006).

Results

Participants indicated proactively securing outpatient care for their patients, but mentioned several barriers their patients face in accessing evidence-based ED treatment. All participants had some experience using various technologies for treatment (e.g., teletherapy, self-monitoring apps), and mentioned a high level of interest in the development of a new app to be used by patients recently discharged from acute treatment for AN. Participants also offered suggestions of effective and relevant content for a potential app and adjunctive social networking component for post-acute care of AN.

Discussion

Overall, participants expressed positive attitudes toward the integration of an app into the care flow, suggesting the high potential benefit of harnessing technology to support individuals recovering from AN.

Association of gut-specific non-inflammatory T lymphocytes with chronic anorexia nervosa and constitutional thinness

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies of AN showed low-grade inflammation. Are low-grade inflammation and circulating lymphocytes associated with chronic conditions?

METHOD

Peripheric blood cytokines were measured using Luminex™ technology in a chronic AN cohort (mean = 67.42 months), compared to Constitutional Thinness (CT), Constitutional Obesity (CO), and Healthy Controls (HC). Secondarily a prospective cohort of chronic AN (mean = 54.11 months) was recruited to compare the functional lymphocyte profile in blood by flow cytometry to CT and HC.

RESULTS

In the AN group, most cytokine concentrations were lower than in CT and HC groups. The IL-23 (98.02 pg/ml) was elevated related to HC and CO, and the IL-10 (4.178 pg/ml) was elevated versus CO. In the CT group, IL-9 (0.06216 pg/ml) was elevated compared to AN. The AN group had high Treg (9.259% of CD4⁺ ) and CD8⁺ Integrinβ7⁺ (9.552% of CD3⁺ ) versus HC for lymphocyte populations. In CT group, elevated Treg (9.7% of CD4⁺ ) elevated percentage of CD4⁺ CCR9⁺ (5.867% of CD3⁺ ) and CD8⁺ Integrinβ7⁺ (10.21% of CD3⁺ ) were found versus HC.

CONCLUSIONS

The chronic state of AN and CT is surprisingly non-inflammatory with elevated Treg cells. These results suggest that maintaining a dysregulated response to intestinal antigens may contribute to maintaining AN.

Ketamine and Zinc: Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa Via Dual NMDA Receptor Modulation

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder associated with serious adverse health outcomes, for which there is currently considerable treatment ineffectiveness. Characterised by restrictive eating behaviours, distorted body image perceptions and excessive physical activity, there is growing recognition anorexia nervosa is associated with underlying dysfunction in excitatory and inhibitory neurometabolite metabolism and signalling. This narrative review critically explores the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory and inhibitory neurometabolite dysfunction in anorexia nervosa and its associated biomarkers. The existing magnetic resonance spectroscopy literature in anorexia nervosa is reviewed and we outline the brain region-specific neurometabolite changes that have been reported and their connection to anorexia nervosa psychopathology. Considering the proposed role of dysfunctional neurotransmission in anorexia nervosa, the potential utility of zinc supplementation and sub-anaesthetic doses of ketamine in normalising this is discussed with reference to previous research in anorexia nervosa and other neuropsychiatric conditions. The rationale for future research to investigate the combined use of low-dose ketamine and zinc supplementation to potentially extend the therapeutic benefits in anorexia nervosa is subsequently explored and promising biological markers for assessing and potentially predicting treatment response are outlined.

Brain and gut microbiota disorders in the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa

Studies of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in eating disorders (EDs) have intensified over the past several years, revealing their unprecedented and unanticipated complexity. Results from many articles highlight critical aspects in each member of ED family. Notably, anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disorder due to undefined etiology, frequently associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsiveness, accompanied by endocrine alterations, altered immune response, increased inflammation, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Hence, an advanced knowledge of how and why a multisystem involvement exists is of paramount importance to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of AN. In this review, we describe the change in the brain structure/function focusing on hypothalamic endocrine disorders and the disequilibrium of gut microbiota in AN that might be responsible for the psychopathological complication.

Intestinal Epithelial Toll-like Receptor 4 Deficiency Modifies the Response to the Activity-Based Anorexia Model in a Sex-Dependent Manner: A Preliminary Study

The role of microbiota in eating disorders has recently emerged. Previous data reported that lipopolysaccharides induce anorexia and a decrease of body weight through the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In the activity-based anorexia (ABA) mouse model, an increase of TLR4 expression in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) has been described. We thus aimed to characterize the role of TLR4 in IEC in the ABA model in male and female mice. For this purpose, Vill-Cre^ERT2-TLR4 LoxP, which are depleted for TLR4 in IEC in response to 4-OH tamoxifen, were submitted (ABA) or not (CT) to the ABA procedure that combined free access to a running wheel and progressive time-limited access to food. We thus compared CT and ABA TLR4^IEC−/− mice to CT and ABA TLR4^IEC+/+ mice. In response to the ABA model, TLR4^IEC+/+ male and female mice exhibited a body weight loss associated to a decrease of lean mass. In TLR4^IEC−/− male mice, body weight loss was delayed and less pronounced compared to TLR4^IEC+/+ male mice. We did not observe a difference of body weight loss in female mice. The body composition remained unchanged between TLR4^IEC−/− and TLR4^IEC+/+ mice in both sexes. In both sexes, ABA TLR4^IEC+/+ mice exhibited an increase of food-anticipatory activity, as well as an increase of immobility time during the open field test. However, female TLR4^IEC−/− mice showed a decrease of the time spent at the centre and an increase of the time spent at the periphery of the open field area, whereas we did not observe differences in the male mice. In conclusion, the invalidation of TLR4 in IEC modified the response to the ABA model in a sex-dependent manner. Further studies should decipher the underlying mechanisms.

The effect of β-caryophyllene on food addiction and its related behaviors: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Food addiction (FA) is a psychological construct that may be involved in the etiology of obesity. The cannabinoid system is involved in the addictive-like food preferences by acting on the dopaminergic pathway of the brain. β-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid that is a cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonist. This study explored the impacts of β-caryophyllene supplementation on eating behavior, appetite, mental health, anthropometric parameters, body composition, and some hormones related to appetite in women with obesity diagnosed with FA. Women with obesity and FA, diagnosed by the Yale Food Addiction Scale Score (YFAS-S) ≥3, were randomly allocated to receive a β-caryophyllene softgel (n = 26) (100 mg/daily with meal) or placebo (n = 26) for 8 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, eating behavior, biochemical markers, dietary intake, appetite, stress, anxiety, and depression were evaluated during the study period. β-caryophyllene administration significantly reduced YFAS-S compared to the placebo group (changes in FA score: 1.5 ± 0.9 vs. - 0.7 ± 1.4; corrected P = 0.05). Serum levels of orexin-A significantly decreased in the β-caryophyllene group (p = 0.02); however, no significant difference was observed compared to the placebo group (corrected P = 0.09). β-caryophyllene supplementation had no significant effect on body composition, anthropometric indices, appetite, eating behavior, dietary intake, physical activity level, mental health, and levels of oxytocin and neuropeptide Y (NPY), compared to the placebo. β-caryophyllene supplementation may have beneficial effects on improving YFAS-S in women with obesity diagnosed with FA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: IRCT20200914048712N1.

The association between binge eating disorder and weight management in overweight and obese adults: A systematic literature review

Aim: Weight loss is shown to improve obesity-related health problems as long as it is maintained for a long term. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the association between binge eating disorder and weight management in overweight and obese adults. Methods: A systematic search following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines was conducted across PubMed, Ebsco and Cochrane Library from inception through December 2020 to identify studies that assessed the association between binge eating disorder and weight management (e.g., weight loss, weight gain and weight loss maintenance) in overweight and obese adults. We included studies that examined adults (≥18 years old) being overweight and obese with and without binge eating behaviour. Two authors independently screened and evaluated studies for methodological quality. Results: Nine articles were selected, including 3685 participants. Three of the included studies were randomised control trials and the remaining were observational studies. The majority of the studies included support that people who have binge eating disorder may have an additional barrier maintaining their weight loss compared to people who do not suffer from binge eating disorder. Conclusion: Our systematic review revealed that binge eating disorder may have a negative association with weight loss maintenance. Further well-conducted prospective cohort studies and randomised clinical trials are required to investigate the possible mechanisms and whether any such mechanisms are modifiable. These will lead us to more efficient strategies targeting weight management.

Effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and concurrent cognitive training on episodic memory in patients with traumatic brain injury: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study

INTRODUCTION

Deficits in episodic memory following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common and affect independence in activities of daily living. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and concurrent cognitive training may contribute to improve episodic memory in patients with TBI. Although previous studies have shown the potential of tDCS to improve cognition, the benefits of the tDCS applied simultaneously to cognitive training in participants with neurological disorders are inconsistent. This study aims to (1) investigate whether active tDCS combined with computer-assisted cognitive training enhances episodic memory compared with sham tDCS; (2) compare the differences between active tDCS applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) and bilateral temporal cortex (BTC) on episodic memory and; (3) investigate inter and intragroup changes on cortical activity measured by quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised, parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study is conducted. Thirty-six participants with chronic, moderate and severe closed TBI are being recruited and randomised into three groups (1:1:1) based on the placement of tDCS sponges and electrode activation (active or sham). TDCS is applied for 10 consecutive days for 20 min, combined with a computer-based cognitive training. Cognitive scores and qEEG are collected at baseline, on the last day of the stimulation session, and 3 months after the last tDCS session. We hypothesise that (1) the active tDCS group will improve episodic memory scores compared with the sham group; (2) differences on episodic memory scores will be shown between active BTC and lDLPFC and; (3) there will be significant delta reduction and an increase in alpha waves close to the location of the active electrodes compared with the sham group.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study was approved by Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo Ethical Institutional Review Border (CAAE: 87954518.0.0000.0068).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04540783.

The intestinal microbiota and anorexia nervosa: cause or consequence of nutrient deprivation

The intestinal microbiota is a diverse microbial community that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Abnormal changes in intestinal microbiota has been associated with multiple diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity; however, emerging evidence suggests a role for the gut microbiota in anxiety and depression via the gut-brain axis. As this microbial community is associated with weight dysregulation and host behavior it is not surprising that the intestinal microbiota may have a role to play in anorexia nervosa (AN). In this review we examine recent studies linking the gut microbiota with nutrition, psychopathology, and ultimately AN. We also review potential gut microbiota-based therapies for AN.

Rescue Anterior Capsulotomy after Failure of Nucleus Accumbens Deep Brain Stimulation in Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Report

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a highly disabling mental disorder with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Few psychological treatments and pharmacotherapy are proven to be effective for adult AN. Two invasive stereotactic neurosurgical interventions, deep brain stimulation (DBS) and anterior capsulotomy, are now commonly used as investigational approaches for the treatment of AN. Here, we report the long-term safety and efficacy of rescue bilateral anterior capsulotomy after the failure of bilateral nucleus accumbens (NAcc)-DBS in an 18-year-old female patient with life-threatening and treatment-resistant restricting subtype AN. Improvements in the neuropsychiatric assessment were not documented 6 months after the NAcc-DBS. Rescue bilateral anterior capsulotomy was proposed and performed, resulting in a long-lasting restoration of body weight and a significant and sustained remission in AN core symptoms. The DBS pulse generator was exhausted 2 years after capsulotomy and removed 3 years postoperatively. No relapse was reported at the last follow-up (7 years after the first intervention). From this case, we suggest that capsulotomy could be a rescue treatment for patients with treatment-resistant AN after NAcc-DBS failure. Further well-controlled studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Role of microbes in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders

Microbes inhabit different anatomical sites of the human body including oral cavity, gut, and skin. A growing literature highlights how microbiome variation is associated with human health and disease. There is strong evidence of bidirectional communication between gut and brain mediated by neurotransmitters and microbial metabolites. Here, we review the potential involvement of microbes residing in the gut and in other body sites in the pathogenesis of eight neuropsychiatric disorders, discussing findings from animal and human studies. The data reported provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the microbiome research in neuropsychiatry, including hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying the associations reported and the translational potential of probiotics and prebiotics.

Is the Severity of the Clinical Expression of Anorexia Nervosa Influenced by an Anxiety, Depressive, or Obsessive-Compulsive Comorbidity Over a Lifetime?

Purpose: The relationship between anxiety or depressive comorbidities, their chronology of onset, and the severity of anorexia nervosa (AN) is not well-studied. We hypothesize that the existence of a comorbidity, particularly before the onset of AN, is associated with greater severity of AN. Methods: One hundred seventy-seven subjects were assessed. The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and social phobia (SP) as well as their chronology of onset were studied. The assessment criteria of AN severity were the overall clinical condition, body mass index (BMI) on admission, lowest BMI, intensity of the eating symptoms, age at the onset of AN, illness duration, number of hospitalizations, and quality of life. Results: Patients with AN had the greatest clinical severity when they had a comorbid disorder over their lifetime, such as MDD, GAD, or SP. These comorbidities along with OCD were associated with a higher level of eating symptoms and a more altered quality of life. A profile of maximum severity was associated with a higher prevalence of MDD and GAD. Concerning the chronology of onset, the age at the start of AN was later in cases of MDD or GAD prior to AN. Conclusion: There seems to be an association between severity of AN and both MDD and GAD. The chronology of onset of the comorbidity did not seem to be associated with the severity.

The Synergistic Effects of a Complementary Physiotherapeutic Scheme in the Psychological and Nutritional Treatment in a Teenage Girl with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Anxiety Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that can affect the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, often leading to anxiety disorders with chronic activation of the hypothalamic axis (HPA). Moreover, a great proportion of adolescents with T1DM also demonstrate anorexia nervosa (AN), due to the increased preoccupation with food and the need to have an acceptable body image. Herein is described the first case study of an adolescent patient diagnosed with T1DM, anxiety disorder (AD), and AN. A 14-year-old girl with T1DM since the age of 12 years presented weight loss at age 13 years and 3 months and low body mass index (BMI), which did not improve despite dietary recommendations and adequate disease control. Additionally, she presented menstrual disorders at the age of 12 years and 11 months (menstrual age 12 years and 1 month). A psychological evaluation of the teenager was conducted using a semi-structured interview that assessed perceived stress, health status, quality of life, and depression. AD and AN were diagnosed and the patient initiated an intervention focusing on psychological health and nutrition and which incorporated physiotherapeutic relaxation sessions and breathing exercises. After 3 months of treatment, the patient’s BMI was increased, and a normal menstrual cycle was apparent. These results have since remained consistent. Stress leads to the appearance of AN and menstrual disorders. Therefore, physiotherapeutic programs could reduce stress and effectively ameliorate AN and AD.

Lower leptin level at discharge in acute anorexia nervosa is associated with early weight-loss

OBJECTIVE

Predictive values of acute phase metabolic abnormalities of anorexia nervosa (AN) have seldom been studied. As early postrestoration weight loss is associated with poor outcome, discharge biologic parameters were assessed to detect an association with 2-month follow-up weight loss as a proxy to poor outcome.

METHOD

Fasting plasma levels of leptin, acyl-ghrelin, obestatin, PYY, oxytocin and BDNF were measured in 26 inpatients, at inclusion, at discharge and 2 months later. A body mass index less than 18 2-month postdischarge was considered a poor outcome.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (73%) had a fair outcome and seven (27%) had a poor one with a mean loss of 0.69 versus 4.54 kg, respectively. Only discharge leptin levels were significantly higher in fair versus poor outcome patients (14.1 vs. 7.0 ng/ml, p = 0.006). The logistic regression model using discharge leptin, acyl-ghrelin, obestatin, oxytocin, PYY and BDNF levels as predictors of outcome disclosed a nearly significant effect of leptin (p < 0.10). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed 11.9 ng/ml was the best value of threshold. Neither clinical variables differed according to outcome.

CONCLUSION

Leptin level may be a biomarker of early weight relapse after acute inpatient treatment of AN. Its clinical usefulness in monitoring care in AN should further be determined.

Omentin and visfatin in adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa; association with symptoms

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with significant weight loss; thus, it is crucial to discern the contribution of hormones produced by adipose tissue. Some of the adipokines have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, the present study aims to measure serum concentrations of omentin and visfatin, in adolescent inpatients with AN. The correlations between selected adipokines and psychopathological symptoms of AN were also analyzed. Thirty adolescent inpatients with anorexia nervosa and thirty healthy age and height matched girls (CONT) were enrolled in the study. The physical and mental examination, anthropometric and psychometric assessment - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), and blood analysis were performed at two-time points - in the malnourished patients (AN T1) and after partial weight recovery (8.30 ± 3.75 weeks) (AN T2). The omentin concentration was not significantly different from the CONT neither in AN T1 nor AN T2. The visfatin level was altered in AN T1 and did not change after partial weight normalization (AN T2). A positive correlation between visfatin and YBOCS was found in AN T2. Visfatin concentrations were decreased in adolescent inpatients suffering from AN in the acute phase of the disease and did not normalize after partial weight restoration. The studies considering visfatin as a biomarker of the acute phase of AN should be continued. Moreover, the visfatin showed association with the obsessive and compulsive symptoms; thus its participation in non-homeostatic regulation of food intake should be investigated in further studies.

In search of new brain biomarkers of stress

The aim: of the study was to investigate the level of ghrelin in various brain structures during a stress response in Zebrafish to a predator, to evaluate this indicator as a potential biomarker of stress, and the effect of a benzodiazepine tranquilizer (phenazepam) on stress-induced changes

Materials and methods: The object of the study was Zebrafish, or Danio rerio wild type, which was subjected to stress by exposure to a predator Hypsophrys nicaraguensis from the cichlid family. In the tail tissue, the level of cortisol was determined, in the brain – the level of total (acylated and non-acylated) ghrelin by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The benzodiazepine anxiolytic phenazepam (1 mg/L), a ghrelin antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (0.333 mg/l) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF; 0.4 mg/L) were used as the pharmacological agents.

Results and discussion: Exposure to a predator, just as administering CRF, more than doubled the level of cortisol in the tail tissue. [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 and phenazepam prevented an increase in a tissue cortisol level. Simultaneously, in the medulla oblongata and cerebellum, the phylogenetically most ancient structures, rather than in the forebrain (telencephalon) or in the midbrain (corpora bigemia), the level of ghrelin was recorded about 500 pg/g of total protein. In response to exposure to a predator, the level of ghrelin increased in the forebrain and midbrain to nanogram concentrations and moderately decreased in the cerebellum. The effect was prevented by phenazepam and [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6.

Conclusion: Increases in ghrelin in the brain in response to stressful situations can be seen as a functional brain biomarker of stress, along with increased levels of tissue cortisol levels. Both of these effects are prevented by both the ghrelin antagonist and the benzodiazepine tranquilizer. The mechanism of action of the tranquilizer is a functional antagonism between the GABAergic system of the brain and the ghrelin system.

Social Media Use and Body Image Disorders: Association between Frequency of Comparing One's Own Physical Appearance to That of People Being Followed on Social Media and Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Thinness

(1) Summary: Many studies have evaluated the association between traditional media exposure and the presence of body dissatisfaction and body image disorders. The last decade has borne witness to the rise of social media, predominantly used by teenagers and young adults. This study’s main objective was to investigate the association between how often one compares their physical appearance to that of the people they follow on social media, and one’s body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. (2) Method: A sample composed of 1331 subjects aged 15 to 35 (mean age = 24.2), including 1138 subjects recruited from the general population and 193 patients suffering from eating disorders, completed an online questionnaire assessing social media use (followed accounts, selfies posted, image comparison frequency). This questionnaire incorporated two items originating from the Eating Disorder Inventory Scale (Body Dissatisfaction: EDI-BD and Drive for Thinness: EDI-DT). (3) Results: We found an association between the frequency of comparing one’s own physical appearance to that of people followed on social media and body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. Interestingly, the level of education was a confounding factor in this relationship, while BMI was not. (4) Discussion: The widespread use of social media in teenagers and young adults could increase body dissatisfaction as well as their drive for thinness, therefore rendering them more vulnerable to eating disorders. We should consequently take this social evolution into account, including it in general population prevention programs and in patients’ specific treatment plans.

Anorexia nervosa and gut microbiota: A systematic review and quantitative synthesis of pooled microbiological data

BACKGROUND

Alterations of gut microbiota may play a role in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) through perturbations of the gut-brain axis. Some studies found differences in the gut microbiota of patients with AN compared to healthy controls, but results are heterogeneous. The aim of this work was to systematically review the existing studies comparing gut microbial composition in AN and healthy controls, and to perform a quantitative synthesis of the pooled clinical and microbiological data, when available.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify human studies investigating relationships between AN and gut microbiota. Microbiome datasets from studies were pooled and analysed focusing on alpha and beta-diversity and the relative abundance of microbial species in patients' gut microbiota compared to healthy controls.

RESULTS

Nine studies were eligible for the systematic review, of which 4 were included in the quantitative synthesis. Preserved alpha-diversity and decreased beta-diversity in AN emerged from the qualitative synthesis, while a slight increase of alpha-diversity (d < 0.4) and comparable beta-diversity were reported by the quantitative synthesis. Out of the 46 common species compared, three had a large combined effect size (d ≥ 0.9) to differentiate patients from controls, namely Alistipes, Parabacterioides and Roseburia. The latter was also correlated with BMI (ρ = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease of butyrate-producing species and the increase of mucine-degrading species may represent hallmarks of the gut microbiota alterations in AN, and therefore potentially interesting therapeutic targets. The heterogeneity of clinical and methodological characteristics hampers the generalizability of the results. Standardized research methods could improve comparability among studies to better identify the alterations of gut microbiota in AN.

Adding maintaining factors to developmental models of anorexia nervosa: An empirical examination in adolescents

OBJECTIVE

A biopsychosocial approach has been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN), despite only a few of the existing etiological models having received empirical support. The aim of this study was to empirically investigate Herpertz-Dahlmann, Seitz, and Konrad (2011, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-011-0246-y)'s developmental model and to consider if interpersonal reactions to the illness might serve as maintaining factors following the model proposed by Treasure and Schmidt (2013, https://doi.org/10.1186/2050-2974-1-13) METHOD: One hundred adolescents and their families were participated in the study: 50 diagnosed with AN, paired by age and parents' socio-economic status with 50 adolescents without a pathology. Biological, psychological and familial variables were assessed using ten questionnaires and a blood analysis test. Additionally, structural equation modeling was conducted to assess two hypothetical models.

RESULTS

The fit of both models was good after the addition of two covariate parameters (e.g., Comparative Fit Index > 0.96 and Tucker-Lewis Index > 0.95). Premorbid traits were linked to body dissatisfaction and to the number of stressful life events; this in turn was linked to AN symptoms. Biological and familial consequences reinforced this pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide support for both models, suggesting that inter relationships between bio-psycho-familial variables can influence the course of AN during adolescence.

Fractalkine, sICAM-1 and Kynurenine Pathway in Restrictive Anorexia Nervosa-Exploratory Study

The link between the kynurenine pathway and immunomodulatory molecules—fractalkine and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1)—in anorexia nervosa (AN) remains unknown. Fractalkine, sICAM-1, tryptophan (TRP), kynurenine (KYN), neuroprotective kynurenic acid (KYNA), neurotoxic 3-OH-kynurenine (3-OH-KYN), and the expression of mRNA for kynurenine aminotransferases (KAT1-3) were studied in 20 female patients with restrictive AN (mostly drug-free, all during first episode of the disease) and in 24 controls. In AN, serum fractalkine, but not sICAM-1, KYNA, KYN, TRP or 3-OH-KYN, was higher; ratios TRP/KYN, KYN/KYNA, KYN/3-OH-KYN and KYNA/3-OH-KYN were unaltered. The expression of the gene encoding KAT3, but not of genes encoding KAT1 and KAT2 (measured in blood mononuclear cells), was higher in patients with AN. In AN, fractalkine positively correlated with TRP, while sICAM-1 was negatively associated with 3-OH-KYN and positively linked with the ratio KYN/3-OH-KYN. Furthermore, TRP and fractalkine were negatively associated with the body mass index (BMI) in AN. Expression of KAT1, KAT2 and KAT3 did not correlate with fractalkine, sICAM-1 or BMI, either in AN or control. Increased fractalkine may be an independent factor associated with the restrictive type of AN. Excessive physical activity probably underlies increased expression of KAT3 observed among enrolled patients. Further, longitudinal studies on a larger cohort of patients should be aimed to clarify the contribution of fractalkine and KAT3 to the pathogenesis of AN.

Current Aspects of the Role of Autoantibodies Directed Against Appetite-Regulating Hormones and the Gut Microbiome in Eating Disorders

The equilibrium and reciprocal actions among appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) and appetite-suppressing (anorexigenic) signals synthesized in the gut, brain, microbiome and adipose tissue (AT), seems to play a pivotal role in the regulation of food intake and feeding behavior, anxiety, and depression. A dysregulation of mechanisms controlling the energy balance may result in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). AN is a psychiatric disease defined by chronic self-induced extreme dietary restriction leading to an extremely low body weight and adiposity. BN is defined as out-of-control binge eating, which is compensated by self-induced vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Certain gut microbiota-related compounds, like bacterial chaperone protein Escherichia coli caseinolytic protease B (ClpB) and food-derived antigens were recently described to trigger the production of autoantibodies cross-reacting with appetite-regulating hormones and neurotransmitters. Gut microbiome may be a potential manipulator for AT and energy homeostasis. Thus, the regulation of appetite, emotion, mood, and nutritional status is also under the control of neuroimmunoendocrine mechanisms by secretion of autoantibodies directed against neuropeptides, neuroactive metabolites, and peptides. In AN and BN, altered cholinergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic relays may lead to abnormal AT, gut, and brain hormone secretion. The present review summarizes updated knowledge regarding the gut dysbiosis, gut-barrier permeability, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), blood-brain barrier permeability, and autoantibodies within the ghrelin and melanocortin systems in eating disorders. We expect that the new knowledge may be used for the development of a novel preventive and therapeutic approach for treatment of AN and BN.

Vaspin (but not neuropeptide B or neuropeptide W) as a possible predictor of body weight normalization in anorexia nervosa

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the nutritional status of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and levels of vaspin (VASP), neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW) and total antioxidant status (TAS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety serum samples collected from 30 teenage female patients during the acute stage of AN and 30 healthy persons (CONTR) were subjected to biochemical analysis; patients with AN were examined at the beginning of the study (AN-I) and after hospitalization (AN-II), as a result of which partial stabilization of anthropometric measurements was achieved (an increase of body mass index (BMI) by 3.5 kg/m²).

RESULTS

Vaspin levels dropped at the end of the hospitalization (compared to AN-I, p < 0.05), achieving values comparable to the CONTR; moreover there was a positive correlation between VASP level and the achieved body weight in AN-II (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were also noted with regard to VASP vs. NPB in AN-I (p < 0.02) (and AN-II, p < 0.013), as well as in the case of VASP vs. NPW in the same groups (p < 0.02 and p < 0.015, respectively). NPB concentration was higher in AN-I (p < 0.05) and AN-II (p < 0.018) than in CONTR, whereas there were no differences (p > 0.05) with regard to levels of VASP, NPW, or TAS.

CONCLUSIONS

The high level of NPB despite treatment and normalization of VASP level may suggest that there are chronic neuroendocrine disorders at play in anorexia nervosa.

Biased Ghrelin Receptor Signaling and the Dopaminergic System as Potential Targets for Metabolic and Psychological Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex disease that impairs the metabolic, mental and physiological health of affected individuals in a severe and sometimes lethal way. Many of the common symptoms in AN patients, such as reduced food intake, anxiety, impaired gut motility or overexercising are connected to both the orexigenic gut hormone ghrelin and the dopaminergic system. Targeting the ghrelin receptor (GhrR) to treat AN seems a promising possibility in current research. However, GhrR signaling is highly complex. First, the GhrR can activate four known intracellular pathways Gαq, Gαi/o, Gα12/13 and the recruitment of β-arrestin. Biased signaling provides the possibility to activate or inhibit only one or a subset of the intracellular pathways of a pleiotropic receptor. This allows specific targeting of physiological functions without adverse effects. Currently little is known on how biased signaling could specifically modulate GhrR effects. Second, GhrR signaling has been shown to be interconnected with the dopaminergic system, particularly in the context of AN symptoms. This review highlights that a biased agonist for the GhrR may be a promising target for the treatment of AN, however extensive and systematic translational studies are still needed and the connection to the dopaminergic system has to be taken into account.

Is there a hypothalamic basis for anorexia nervosa?

The hypothalamus has long been known to control food intake and energy metabolism through a complex network of primary and secondary neurons and glial cells. Anorexia nervosa being a complex disorder characterized by abnormal feeding behavior and food aversion, it is thus quite surprising that not much is known concerning potential hypothalamic modifications in this disorder. In this chapter, we review the recent advances in the fields of genetics, epigenetics, structural and functional imaging, and brain connectivity, as well as neuroendocrine findings and emerging animal models, which have begun to unravel the importance of hypothalamic adaptive processes to our understanding of the pathology of eating disorders.

Assessing for Eating Disorders: A Primer for Gastroenterologists

Eating disorders involve irregularities in eating behavior that may cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Consequently, many patients with eating disorders seek gastroenterological healthcare at some point in their illness, with many seeking this care even before they seek treatment for and/or diagnosed with their eating disorder. As such, the gastroenterology provider is in a unique position to identify, manage, and facilitate treatment for an eating disorder early in the course of the illness. Although assessing eating disorders is already a difficult task, the identification of eating disorders in patients with GI disease represents an even greater challenge. In particular, common GI symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and bloating, may disguise an eating disorder because these symptoms are often viewed as a sufficient impetus for dietary restriction and subsequent weight loss. In addition, the focus on identifying an organic etiology for the GI symptoms can distract providers from considering an eating disorder. During this prolonged diagnostic evaluation, the eating disorder can progress in severity and become more difficult to treat. Unfortunately, a misconception that hinders eating disorder detection is the notion that the rate or method of weight loss is associated with an eating disorder. Regardless of whether weight loss is slow or rapid, purposeful or accidental, eating disorder behaviors and thought patterns may be present. Unidentified eating disorders are not only dangerous in their own right but also can interfere with effective management of GI disease and its symptoms. As such, it is imperative for the GI provider to remain well versed in the identification of these diseases.

Subjective cognitive rigidity and attention to detail: A cross-cultural validation of the Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) in a French clinical sample

Introduction: People diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are at risk for poor cognitive flexibility and excessive attention to detail. These difficulties are traditionally quantified using neuropsychological tests. These tests do not capture the subjective repercussions of these cognitive styles. The Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) has been specifically developed to measure these repercussions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the French version of this scale (F-DFlex) and to adapt it if needed. Methods: The instrument factor structure, internal consistency, convergent, and discriminant validity were assessed in a sample of 107 French women AN inpatients. For convergent validity, associations between F-DFlex scores, perceived levels of autistic traits (Autism Quotient questionnaire - AQ) and eating disorders symptomatology (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire - EDE-Q), as well as neuropsychological evaluations (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test - WCST, Rey Complex Figure - RCF) were tested. Discriminant validity was assessed by comparing F-DFlex scores of the patients with a chronic versus non-chronic illness. Results: The results of the exploratory factorial analysis led to the removal of four items. Internal consistency indices of this shortened version were good. Correlation coefficients directions and values between F-DFlex factors and relevant AQ Switching and Detail subscores were satisfactory, indicating good convergent validity. F-DFlex Rigidity scores were associated with the WCST percentage of perseverative errors, but the F-DFlex Attention to Detail scores were not associated with the RCF central coherence index. F-DFlex scores were associated with the severity of eating disorders symptomatology independently of BMI, illness duration, or anxiety, and depression. Conclusion: This study indicates good psychometric properties of this new version of the DFlex. The F-DFlex appears as a promising self-report screening tool of important cognitive dimensions for use in clinical management of people diagnosed with AN.

Role of Neuroendocrine, Immune, and Autonomic Nervous System in Anorexia Nervosa-Linked Cardiovascular Diseases

Anorexia nervosa represents a severe mental disorder associated with food avoidance and malnutrition. In patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, cardiovascular complications are the main reason leading to morbidity and mortality. However, the origin and pathological mechanisms leading to higher cardiovascular risk in anorexia nervosa are still unclear. In this aspect, the issue of exact pathological mechanisms as well as sensitive biomarkers for detection of anorexia nervosa-linked cardiovascular risk are discussed. Therefore, this review synthesised recent evidence of dysfunction in multiple neuroendocrine axes and alterations in the immune system that may represent anorexia nervosa-linked pathological mechanisms contributing to complex cardiovascular dysregulation. Further, this review is focused on identification of non-invasive biomarkers for the assessment of increased cardiovascular risk in anorexia nervosa that can be linked to a clinical application. Complex non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular autonomic regulation—cardiac vagal control (heart rate variability), sympathetic vascular activity (blood pressure variability), and cardiovascular reflex control (baroreflex sensitivity)—could represent a promising tool for early diagnosis, personalized therapy, and monitoring of therapeutic interventions in anorexia nervosa particularly at a vulnerable adolescent age.

Hypothalamic and brain stem neurochemical profile in anorectic rats after peripheral administration of kisspeptin-10 using 1 H-nmr spectroscopy in vivo

PURPOSE

Although anorexia nervosa is classified as a psychiatric disorder associated with socio-environmental and psychological factors, a deeper insight into the dominant neurobiological basis is needed to develop a more effective approach of treatment. Given the high contribution of genetic predisposition and the underlying pathophysiology of neurohormonal circuits, it seems that pharmacological targeting of these mechanisms may provide us with better therapeutic outcomes.

METHODS

¹ H-NMR spectroscopy was used to measure concentrations of the hypothalamus and brain stem metabolites in an activity-based rodent model (ABA) after subcutaneous administration of kisspeptin-10. Because anorexia mainly affects young women and often leads to hypogonadotropic-hypogonadism, we investigated the influence of this neuropeptide, which is involved in reproductive function by regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, on the ABA model development.

RESULTS

Kisspeptin reinforced food consumption in an activity-based rodent model of anorexia changing a pattern of weight loss. ¹ H-NMR spectroscopy of the hypothalamus and brain stem of ABA rats revealed a statistically significant change in the concentration of creatine (Cr; decreased, P = 0.030), phosphocreatine (PCr; increased, P = 0.030), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; decreased, P = 0.011), glutathione (GSH; increased, P = 0.011) and inositol (INS; increased, P = 0.047) compared to the control group. Subcutaneous administration of kisspeptin reversed the decrease in GABA (P = 0.018) and Cr (P = 0.030) levels in the hypothalamus as well as restored glutamate (GLU; P = 0.040) level in the brain stem.

CONCLUSIONS

We suspect that kisspeptin through modulation of hypothalamic GABAergic signaling increases food intake, and thus positively alters brain metabolism.

The effect of underweight on female and male reproduction

Chronic energy deficiency can impair the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and lead to hypothalamic anovulation in underweight women. This review presents the syndromes related to underweight status that are associated with infertility, summarizes the underlying mechanisms, and reviews the available treatment options. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa (AN), constitute the most common cause of infertility in underweight women, who, in addition, experience miscarriages, and sexual dysfunction. The relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S; former terminology: athlete's triad) involves menstrual dysfunction due to low energy availability, which results in anovulation. Moreover, lipodystrophies, malnutrition, starvation, systematic illnesses (malignancies, endocrinopathies, infectious diseases, advanced chronic diseases, neurologic illnesses), and the utilization of drugs can cause excessive weight loss. They may result in fertility problems due to the loss of adipose tissue and the subsequent hormonal disturbances. Each of these conditions requires multidisciplinary management. Nutritional counseling should target the restoration of energy balance by increasing intake and reducing output. Medical treatment, recommended only for patients who did not respond to standard treatment, may include antipsychotics, antidepressants, or leptin administration. Finally, psychiatric treatment is considered an integral part of the standard treatment.

Gut microbiota alteration in a mouse model of Anorexia Nervosa

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Anorexia Nervosa is a severe disease depending on both biological, psychological and environmental factors. The gut microbiota has recently been proposed as one of the biological factors potentially involved in the onset or maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa. To unravel the potential role of the gut microbiota in this disease, we characterized the dysbiosis occurring in a mouse model of Anorexia and correlated bacteria level changes with different physiological parameters such as body weight, food intake or levels of hypothalamic neuropeptides.

METHODS

We used the Activity-Based Anorexia (ABA) mouse model, which combines food restriction and physical activity, and which mimics core features of Anorexia Nervosa. We characterized the gut microbiota alteration in ABA mice by combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative PCR analyses of targeted genera or species.

RESULTS

We identified 68 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with decreased levels and 8 ASVs with increased levels in the cecal content of ABA mice compared to control mice. We observed in particular in ABA mice increases in the abundance of Clostridium cocleatum and several Lactobacillus species and a decrease in the abundance of Burkholderiales compared to control mice. Interestingly, we show that most of the observed gut microbiota alterations are due to food restriction and are not affected by physical activity. In addition, we identified several bacterial groups that correlate with mice body weight, food intake, lean and fat masses as well as with hypothalamic mRNA levels of NPY (Neuropeptide Y) and POMC (Pro-opiomelanocortin).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of the gut microbiota dysbiosis occurring in the Activity-Based Anorexia mouse model. These data constitute a valuable resource to further decipher the role of the gut microbiota in the different facets of anorexia pathophysiology, such as functional gastrointestinal disorders, appetite regulation and mood disorders.

Spinal 'flip-flop' effect in anorexia nervosa: A case report

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric eating disorder related to malnutrition and consequent altered metabolism. A 48-year-old female with a history of anorexia in the last 2 years referred to our hospital with spinal pain. She underwent spinal X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showing multiple vertebral collapses in dorsal and lumbar spine with inversion of normal bone marrow and soft tissue signal in T1-weighted and STIR images. We describe this case of spinal 'flip-flop' phenomenon, underlining how what seems a technical failure is actually a specific imaging pattern related to the clinical context.

The Ghrelin-AgRP Neuron Nexus in Anorexia Nervosa: Implications for Metabolic and Behavioral Adaptations

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is viewed as primarily a psychiatric disorder owing to the considerable behavioral and genetic overlap with mood disorders and other psychiatric traits. However, the recent reconceptualization of AN as one of both psychiatric and metabolic etiology suggests that metabolic circuits conveying hunger, or sensitive to signals of hunger, may be a critical nexus linking metabolic dysfunction to mood disturbances. Within the brain, hunger is primarily percieved by Agouti-related (AgRP) neurons and hunger increases plasma concentrations of the hormone ghrelin, which targets ghrelin receptors on AgRP neurons to facilitate metabolic adaptations to low energy availability. However, beyond the fundamental role in maintaining hunger signaling, AgRP neurons regulate a diverse range of behaviors such as motivation, locomotor activity, negative reinforcement, anxiety, and obsession and a key factor involved in the manifestation of these behavioral changes in response to activation is the presence or absence of food availability. These changes can be considered adaptive in that they promote affective food-seeking strategies in environments with limited food availability. However, it also suggests that these neurons, so well-studied for their metabolic control, shape mood-related behaviors in a context-dependent manner and dysfunctional control leads not only to metabolic problems but also potentially mood-related problems. The purpose of this review is to underline the potential role of AgRP neurons and ghrelin signaling in both the metabolic and behavioral changes observed in anorexia nervosa. We aim to highlight the most recent studies on AgRP neurons and ghrelin signaling and integrate their metabolic and behavioral roles in normal function and highlight how dysfunction may contribute to the development of AN.