Resting state functional connectivity of loss of control eating and weight concern in youth

Eating disorders (EDs) are difficult to treat and understanding the etiology of symptoms of the disease, including neural correlates, can aid in uncovering early risk factors to target for disease prevention. Loss of control (LOC) eating that accompanies binge eating in individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge eating disorder (BED), and the over-concern with weight and shape (WC), a characteristic of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and BN, are two symptoms that often predict later development of EDs. In this study we examine fMRI resting state functional connectivity in individuals from a population sample (ages 10-20 years) with LOC (n =39), WC (n=43) and with both LOC and WC (n =37), compared to controls (n =36), to uncover differential brain networks underlying these symptoms. Results showed that individuals with LOC eating had decreased connectivity of executive control regions to regions related to self-processing, and individuals with WC had decreased connectivity within sensory regions, and between somatosensory to visual processing regions. The group with both LOC and WC had decreased connectivity within sensory and reward regions, and between reward regions to visual and attentional processing regions, as well as increased connectivity between an inhibitory control region to sensory regions. Results suggest altered brain connectivity is related to ED symptoms even in the absence of ED diagnosis, and because the results were in a young sample these disruptions are likely early neurological markers prior to onset of disease.M.S., Psychology -- Drexel University, 201