Abstract
Objectives: Growth factors are signalling molecules that play roles in the survival, proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells. Studies have found alterations in specific growth factors in anorexia nervosa (AN).
Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined articles from three databases, measuring growth factors in AN cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and in recovered AN (recAN) cross-sectionally. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-1) for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Results: A total of 82 studies were included: 56 cross-sectional (BDNF: n ¼ 15; IGF-1: n ¼ 41) and 24 longitudinal (BDNF: n ¼ 5; IGF-1: n ¼ 19) were meta-analysed and 20 studies were narratively synthesised. In cross-sectional analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 were lower in AN compared to controls, and BDNF was marginally greater in rec-AN compared to controls. In longitudinal meta-analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 increased from baseline to follow-up. Cross-sectional subgroup analyses revealed no differences in BDNF between controls and AN binge-eating/purging subtypes.
Conclusions: It is likely that the low BDNF and IGF-1 levels found in AN are consequences of starvation, which are reversible with weight restoration. The increase in BDNF and IGF-1 during therapeutic weight restoration might improve neuroplasticity, which is the basis of learning, and thus psychotherapeutic success
Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined articles from three databases, measuring growth factors in AN cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and in recovered AN (recAN) cross-sectionally. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin growth factor-I (IGF-1) for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.
Results: A total of 82 studies were included: 56 cross-sectional (BDNF: n ¼ 15; IGF-1: n ¼ 41) and 24 longitudinal (BDNF: n ¼ 5; IGF-1: n ¼ 19) were meta-analysed and 20 studies were narratively synthesised. In cross-sectional analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 were lower in AN compared to controls, and BDNF was marginally greater in rec-AN compared to controls. In longitudinal meta-analyses, BDNF and IGF-1 increased from baseline to follow-up. Cross-sectional subgroup analyses revealed no differences in BDNF between controls and AN binge-eating/purging subtypes.
Conclusions: It is likely that the low BDNF and IGF-1 levels found in AN are consequences of starvation, which are reversible with weight restoration. The increase in BDNF and IGF-1 during therapeutic weight restoration might improve neuroplasticity, which is the basis of learning, and thus psychotherapeutic success
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 582-600 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | World Journal of Biological Psychiatry |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Early online date | 19 Jan 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 19 Jan 2022 |