Functional MRI During Resting State in Patients with Eating Disorders

Functional MRI During Resting State in Patients with Eating Disorders: a Longitudinal Prospective Study on Neuropsychopathological Correlates

The goal of this observational study is to learn if clinical and neurophysiological characteristics dynamics may follow similar trends in a longitudinal characterization of patients with a diagnosis of an eating disorder.

The primary hypothesis is that the reversal of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) baseline alternations is positively associated with symptomatic amelioration.

The secondary hypothesis is that the degree of (f)MRI baseline alternations is positively associated with symptoms.

Participants will be asked to complete psychometric questionnaires, perform a fMRI and be recalled at 12 months for a follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female sex
• Age between 12 and 40 years old
• Current diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa according to DSM-5-TR.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous or current diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder,
• Acute psychosis
• Substance abuse
• Severe medical comorbidities (hypercapnia, severe hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, organ failure)
• incapacity to grant written or verbal consent