Normal Gray and White Matter Volume after Weight Restoration in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether treated, weight-stabilized adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) present brain volume differences in comparison with healthy controls. MethodThirty-five adolescents with weight-recovered AN and 17 healthy controls were assessed by means of psychopathology scales and magnetic resonance imaging. Axial three-dimensional T1-weighted images were obtained in a 1.5 Tesla scanner and analyzed using optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM). ResultsThere were no significant differences between controls and weight-stabilized AN patients with regard to global volumes of either gray or white brain matter, or in the regional VBM study. Differences were not significant between patients with psychopharmacological treatment and without, between those with amenorrhea and without, as well as between patients with restrictive versus purgative AN. DiscussionThe present findings reveal no global or regional gray or white matter abnormalities in this sample of adolescents following weight restoration. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013; 46:841-848)