Publications (3)7.83 Total impact
-
Article: Microstructural abnormalities of the posterior thalamic radiation and the mediodorsal thalamic nuclei in females with anorexia nervosa--a voxel based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Gray matter abnormalities have been found in anorexia nervosa (AN) in several brain regions. However, little is known about white matter abnormalities under the condition of AN. To comprehensively assess the microstructural integrity of white matter pathways in women with anorexia nervosa, we performed voxel-based Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). 21 women with AN according to DSM-IV criteria (9 of them recovered) and 20 female age-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The patients had a mean body mass index of 17.2 kg/m(2) (controls: 19.6 kg/m(2)). High resolution T1 images (MP-RAGE) and DTI were performed on a 3 T Siemens-scanner. Images were pre-processed and analyzed using a modified protocol for DTI in SPM2. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were compared using t-tests (p < 0.05, corrected). Compared with controls, AN patients showed bilateral reductions of FA maps in the posterior thalamic radiation which includes the optic radiation, and the left mediodorsal thalamus. Our study is limited by the small sample size and its cross-sectional design. A longitudinal design with the same individuals assessed when acutely ill and recovered is warranted for future studies. For the first time, the findings of our DTI study identified disturbances of associational and commissural fibers in the bilateral occipitotemporal white matter. The results help narrowing the prevailing biological models of AN by suggesting that body image distortion is related to microstructural alterations of white matter tracts connecting the extrastriate visual cortex with other brain regions involved in body perception.Journal of psychiatric research 07/2012; 46(9):1237-42. · 3.72 Impact Factor -
Article: Elevation of homocysteine levels is only partially reversed after therapy in females with eating disorders.
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown elevated homocysteine levels in patients with eating disorders. In a prospective, longitudinal study, we investigated differences of homocysteine plasma levels in patients with anorexia nervosa (N = 12) and bulimia nervosa (N = 17) compared to healthy controls (N = 20) and alteration of homocysteine levels in patients during specific in-patient treatment. We found significantly elevated homocysteine levels in both patient groups (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) and a non-significant decrease of homocysteine during the 12-week treatment period. Furthermore, we found a significant association between low homocysteine levels and cognitive deficits, pointing toward a beneficial effect of elevated homocysteine levels on cognition in this patient group. We suppose that during effective treatment with significant increase of the body mass index, the observed hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with eating disorders is partially reversible. These findings add further evidence to the hypothesis that homocysteine might be involved in the pathophysiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa.Acta Neurovegetativa 02/2010; 117(4):521-7. · 2.73 Impact Factor -
Article: [Three cases of erythma ab igne (EAI) in patients with eating disorders].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a reticulated pigmented dermatosis, which is caused by repetative and prolonged moderate heat exposure insufficient to produce a burn. We report here three cases of EAI in female patients with eating disorders (two with anorexia nervosa and one with bulimia nervosa) who presented with EAI on the abdomen as well as on the thighs and forearms. The clinical picture was characterized by asymptomatic reticular and macular hyperpigmentation and telangiectases without sequamation. The patients admitted the frequent and sometimes over night use of hot water bottles with the aim to reduce a general feeling of cold and to alleviate an aversive feeling of fullness after food intake. It is well known that patients with eating disorders have an increased pain threshold which might have contributed to the prolonged heat exposure. The patients were advised to stop using the hot water bottles. In two patients the EAI progressively cleared over the next 8 weeks; however, without complete remission. The third patient continued to regularly use the hot water bottle and the EAI persisted. The skin changes may persist a long time or even become permanent. EAI is accepted as a precancerous lesion and monitoring of permanent skin changes is advised. While historically EAI was seen in people sitting next to a stove or fire, a modern cause of EAI is the regular and prolonged use of laptop computers on the thighs ("laptop-thighs"). Since there is no effective treatment, the most effective measure is immediate removal of the heat source.Neuropsychiatrie: Klinik, Diagnostik, Therapie und Rehabilitation: Organ der Gesellschaft Österreichischer Nervenärzte und Psychiater 01/2010; 24(2):141-3. · 1.38 Impact Factor
