A research for elucidation of mechanisms of eating disorders with pathologically reduced weight and developing novel therapy

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K10211
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Satoshi 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (00456675)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 摂食障害 / VBM / 生理活性物質 / 質問紙 / 肝障害 / 再栄養療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In anorexic patients, 1-1) we found diffuse bulk reduction of brain MRI image and a specific lesions related with body dyssatisfaction, and 1-2) we found regional loss of cerebral volume without effect from mal-nutrition. 2) We found decline of serum IL-18 level in anorexic patients, and confirmed that its correlation with Body Mass Index disappears in patients. 3) We demonstrated that a battery of self-screening instruments and self-reported body frame cannot detect eating disorders among college students. 4) We confirmed risk factors for elevated liver enzymes during refeeding of severely malnourished patients with eating disorders.

Free Research Field

精神医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

１）神経性やせ症など病的やせを伴う摂食障害について、脳画像の変化と精神症状の関係・ストレス耐性との関係が疑われる血中物質IL-18の変化について調べ、摂食障害のメカニズムの一端を明らかにした。２）アンケート形式の調査を一般大学生に対して行い、摂食障害の早期発見を試みたが、この調査形式では困難であることを明らかにした。３）病的や背の状態で栄養療法を行うと生じることがある肝障害について、その原因となる要因をあきらかにし、栄養療法の方法の合理化を行った。