Naslov
EEG findings and structural brain changes in girls with anorexia nervosa-expirience with 52 cases

Autori
Cvitanović-Šojat, Ljerka ; Bedek, Darko ; Jurčić, Zvonimir ; Mučić-Pucić, Branka ; La Grasta, Lavinia ; Gojmerac, Tomislav

Izvornik
Pediatria Croatica 41 (1997), 2;

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, kongresno priopcenje, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
EEG; Structural brain changes; Anorexia nervosa

Sažetak
Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex psychosomatic disorder heavily influenced by cultural factors. Physical complications of AN involve every organ system in the body. The aim of this study was to identify electrophysiological and structural changes of the brain. Patients and methods: Chart of 52 adolescent girls seen at oru hospital since 1985 were analysed. Prenatal, developmental and medical histories were normal, including the neurological examination. Only one girl had previous history of epilepsy. The diagnosis of AN was based on the criteria listed in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, done by American Psychiatric Association, revised in 1996 (DSM-IV-R). We have done the EEG and CT scan in the first week on admission to the hospital and control tests 6 to 10 weeks later, after weight restoration. Results: The mean age of presentation was 15,5 years (range 12 to 19), with abnormal feeding history from 2 to 43 months (mean 10,1). Body mass index ranges from 11,0 to 17,6 (mean 13,7). The EEg abnormalities consist mostly of low voltage and were found initially in 74% of 50 patients. After the weight gain the EEG was normal in 57% girls and 43% had low voltage. CT scan of the brain was done in 44 girls. Findings were normal in 24% and atrophy was found in 76% (slight changes 59%, moderate 32% and pronounced 9%). After the weight gain control CT was done in 12 girls - normal findings had 41% and slight cortical changes 59%. Conclusion: We could not find the relation between the degree of weight loss, duration or type of malnutrition and the degree of changes on EEG and CT scan. When the starvation is stoped, these alteration of CNS is reversed in most of the girls. Further studies are necessary to clarify the clinical significance of the EEG and CT changes in AN.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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