Resting-state functional connectivity in adolescents with binge eating disorder: An exploratory null study.
TL;DR
No robust alterations in resting-state FC were identified in adolescents with BED compared with healthy controls, however, given the modest sample size and limited temporal sampling, subtle connectivity differences cannot be excluded.
Abstract
Objective
Binge eating disorder (BED) commonly emerges during adolescence, yet little is known about intrinsic brain network function in this developmental period. This study examined resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in adolescents with BED.
Method
19 adolescents with BED and 20 sex-, age-, and BMI Z-score-matched controls (12-18 years) underwent resting-state fMRI. FC was examined using an exploratory ROI-to-ROI analysis, and eating disorder symptoms were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q).
Results
No between-group differences in ROI-to-ROI functional connectivity survived false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons.
Discussion
No robust alterations in resting-state FC were identified in adolescents with BED compared with healthy controls. However, given the modest sample size and limited temporal sampling, subtle connectivity differences cannot be excluded.