Acute tryptophan depletion balances altered resting-state functional connectivity of the salience network in female patients recovered from anorexia nervosa.
J Psychiatry Neurosci
; 47(5): E351-E358, 2022.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36195339
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
It has been suggested that individuals predisposed to or recovered from anorexia nervosa experience a hyperserotonergic state associated with anxiety that might be mitigated by restricted food intake, because diminished levels of the tryptophan precursor lower the central availability of serotonin (5-HT). At the neural level, the salience network is a system of functionally connected brain regions; it has been closely associated with 5-HT functioning and mental disorders (including anorexia nervosa). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect on the salience network of a temporary dietary manipulation of 5-HT synthesis in patients with anorexia nervosa.METHODS:
In this double-blind crossover study, we obtained data on resting-state functional connectivity from 22 weight-recovered female patients with a history of anorexia nervosa, and 22 age-matched female healthy controls. The study procedure included acute tryptophan depletion (a dietary intervention that lowers the central 5-HT synthesis rate) and a sham condition.RESULTS:
We identified an interaction of group and experimental condition in resting-state functional connectivity between the salience network and the orbitofrontal cortex extending to the frontal pole (F 1,42 = 12.52; p FWE = 0.026). Further analysis revealed increased resting-state functional connectivity during acute tryptophan depletion in patients recovered from anorexia nervosa, resembling that of healthy controls during the sham condition (T 42 = -0.66; p = 0.51).LIMITATIONS:
The effect of acute tryptophan depletion on the central availability of 5-HT can be judged only indirectly using plasma ratios of tryptophan to large neutral amino acids. Moreover, the definition of anorexia nervosa recovery varies widely across studies, limiting comparability.CONCLUSION:
Taken together, our findings support the notion of 5-HT dysregulation in anorexia nervosa and indicate that reduced 5-HT synthesis and availability during acute tryptophan depletion (and possibly with food restriction) may balance hyperserotonergic functioning and the associated resting-state functional connectivity of the salience network.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Anorexia Nervosa
/
Aminoácidos Neutros
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Psychiatry Neurosci
Assunto da revista:
NEUROLOGIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article