Background: Serotonin (5-HT) pathway abnormalities were demonstrated in anorexia nervosa (AN). Brain imaging studies on 5-HT receptors support this evidence. 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(N-2-pyridinyl)-p-fluorobenzamido]-ethylpiperazine ([(18)F]MPPF) is a selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist with an affinity close to that of endogenous 5-HT.
Methods: In 24 subjects including 8 lean restrictive-type AN patients, 9 recovered from restrictive-type AN subjects and 7 age-matched control subjects, we assessed in vivo brain [(18)F]MPPF binding by positron emission tomography and eating-related psychopathological traits. Inter-groups differences in [(18)F]MPPF binding were evaluated by voxel-based analyses.
Results: Restrictive AN patients presented increased [(18)F]MPPF binding in a selective area of the right cortex including part of the superior temporal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, parietal operculum, and temporoparietal junction. Striking regional similarities of increased [(18)F]MPPF binding were found in recovered from AN subjects. Most of the psychiatric scores were increased in restrictive AN patients, and elevated perfectionism and interpersonal distrust scores were noticed in subjects recovered from AN.
Conclusions: The persistent increased 5-HT(1A) receptor binding in frontotemporal region of recovered AN concomitantly with specific psychopathological traits support the hypothesis of an organic dysfunction of this area and corroborates with previous literature reports of AN cases induced by temporal lesions.