Hippocampal volume, function and related molecular activity in anorexia nervosa: a scoping review.

This study aimed to map the evidence for alterations in hippocampal volume, function and related molecular activity in anorexia nervosa. PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for studies related to hippocampal function and integrity using a range of methodologies, such as neuropsychological paradigms, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging and analysis of blood components. EXPERT OPINION: 39 studies were included in this review. The majority were neuroimaging studies, which found hippocampus-specific volumetric and functional impairments. Neuropsychological studies showed evidence for specific memory and learning impairments. There was some evidence for molecular abnormalities (e.g. cortisol), although these were few studies. Taken together, our review suggests that the hippocampus might be a particular region of interest when considering neurobiological approaches to understanding AN. These findings warrant further investigation and may lead to novel treatment approaches. PMID: 33176113 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol Source Type: research