Factors associated with Brain Function in Patients with Eating Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with brain function in patients with eating disorders.Methods: Patients(N=171) who visited 'M' clinic for eating disorders participated. Data were collected from June 2022 to September 2022 using self-reported questionnaires.Results: Problems with brain function were observed in the deep limbic system in 84.8%, basal ganglia in 78.9%, the anterior cingulate in 74.3%, the prefrontal lobe in 55.6%, and the temporal lobe in 34.5%. Additionally, 55.6% of the participants had more than moderate anxiety, and 32.2% were suspected of having obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anxiety, obsessive-compulsion, and eating psychopathology(ineffectiveness, impulse regulation, social insecurity, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and bulimia) were significantly associated factors of brain function.Conclusion: It was found that problems of brain function can be identified in a more convenient way by evaluating brain function through the Amen Brain System Checklist (ABSC), a self-reporting test tool, instead of brain imaging. Through brain function evaluation by the ABSC at the initial interview, more suitable interventions can be selected for patients. In future studies, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of practical interventions according to changes in brain function of patients with eating disorders.