Evaluating anorexia-related brain atrophy using MP2RAGE-based morphometry

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate brain atrophy in anorexic patients by automated cerebral segmentation with the magnetization-prepared 2 rapid acquisition gradient echo (MP2RAGE) MRI sequence.

Material and methods

Twenty patients (female; mean age, 27.9 years), presenting consecutively for brain MRI between August 2014–December 2016 with clinical suspicion of anorexia nervosa and BMI<18.5 kg/m² were included. Controls were ten healthy females (mean age, 26.5 years). Automated brain morphometry was performed based on MP2RAGE. Means of morphometric results in the two groups were compared and correlation with BMI was analysed.

Results

Significantly lower volumes of total brain, grey matter (GM), white matter (WM), cerebellum and insula were found in anorexic patients. Anorexics had higher volumes of CSF, ventricles, lateral ventricles and third ventricle. When adjusted means for weight and height were compared, the volume of WM and cerebellum were not significantly different. However, volume of WM was significantly affected by weight and positively correlated with BMI. Significant positive correlations were found between BMI and volumes of total brain, GM, cortical GM and WM. BMI was negatively correlated with volumes of CSF and third ventricle.

Conclusion

Brain atrophy was demonstrated in anorexic patients with MP2RAGE-based automated segmentation, which seems to reliably estimate brain volume.

Key points

• Automated brain segmentation based on 3-D MRI seems to reliably estimate brain volume.

• This technique detected brain atrophy in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa.

• Brain changes in anorexia nervosa can be quantitatively and qualitatively followed-up by MRI.