The cerebellum gains weight: A systematic review of alterations in cerebellar volume and cerebro-cerebellar functional alterations in individuals with eating disorders

Libera Siciliano; Giusy Olivito; Maria Leggio

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104863

The cerebellum gains weight: A systematic review of alterations in cerebellar volume and cerebro-cerebellar functional alterations in individuals with eating disorders

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2022 Oct:141:104863. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104863. Epub 2022 Sep 9.

Authors

Libera Siciliano¹, Giusy Olivito², Maria Leggio³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306-354, 00179 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: libera.siciliano@uniroma1.it.
² Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306-354, 00179 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: g.olivito@hsantaluica.it.
³ Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; Ataxia Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306-354, 00179 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: maria.leggio@uniroma1.it.

PMID: 36089105
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104863

Abstract

Background: Brain imaging studies on eating disorders (EDs) often reported volumetric and functional changes involving the cerebellum. Nevertheless, few studies performed in-depth examinations and suggested a cerebellar role in the EDs' pathophysiology.

Methods: A systematic literature search on volumetric changes and functional alterations involving the cerebellum in individuals with EDs was conducted using PubMed, PsychInfo and Web of Science. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement and Rayyan web application for screening studies.

Results: Twenty-four papers reporting cerebellar alterations in individuals with EDs were included in the study: 9 assessing brain volumetric changes, 9 investigating task-based functional brain activation and 6 investigating brain functional connectivity at rest. Most studies focused on anorectic-type EDs (n.22), while fewer involved bulimic-type EDs (n.9) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (n.2), revealing subtypes-specific patterns of altered cerebellar volume and functionality.

Conclusions: This review proposes critical arguments to consider the cerebellum as a key structure in the pathophysiology of EDs that requires further forthcoming exploration.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Bulimia nervosa; Cerebellum; Eating disorders; Functional patterns; VBM.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anorexia Nervosa*
Appetite Depressants*
Bulimia Nervosa*
Cerebellum / diagnostic imaging
Feeding and Eating Disorders*
Humans

Substances

Appetite Depressants