Table 3 Characteristics and key findings of included studies using SPECT and PET as the primary method.

1. Beato-Fernandez et al. (2011) [34]

Actas Espanolas de Psiqiuiatria, 39(4): 203-10.

AN-R (n=11)

AN-P (n=10)

BN-NP (n=7)

BN-P (n=14)

HCs (n=12)

AN-R: 27.1

AN-P: 28.4

BN-P: 30.7

BN-NP: 34.7

HC: 20.6

No SD of mean age reported

Not reported

3x SPECT scans to measure rCBF during rest condition; calm visual stimulus condition and another after seeing their own body (filmed).

Left handedness; psychiatric illness aside from ED; neurological disorders

AN-R, AN-P, BN-P, BN-NP vs HCs: decreased right temporal rCBF when moving from rest condition to neutral visual image

AN-R & BN-P vs other groups: increased right temporal rCBF going from neutral visual image to own body visual image

2. Karhunen et al. (2000) [63]

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging Section, 99: 29-42.

OB BED (n=8)

OB non-BED (n=11)

HCs (n=12)

OB BED: 36.1(9.3)

OB non-BED: 45.0 (10.0)

HCs: 39.8(9.7)

100%

1 x SPECT scan to measure rCBF while participants were looking at a control image (landscape) and 1 x SPECT scan while participants were looking at a portion of real food after an overnight fast.

Left handedness;

‘No other disorders or medication known to affect the variables examined’ (pp31)

OB BED vs OB non-BED & HCs: significantly greater increase in rCBF in the left hemisphere compared to the right hemisphere, particularly in the frontal and prefrontal cortices, in the food exposure condition

All groups experienced a significant increase in hunger in the food exposure condition. In the OB-BED group only, this was associated with significantly higher rCBF in the left frontal and pre-frontal cortices

3. Delvenne et al. (1997) [65]

International Journal of Eating Disorders, 21(4):313-320.

BN (n=11)

HCs (n=11)

BN: 26.2 (10.9)

HCs: 25.7 (2.1)

100%

Resting state PET with (18-F) fluorodeoxyglucose used to evaluate cerebral glucose metabolism.

History of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); significant abnormalities on physical and neurological examination; left handedness; no psychoactive medication for a minimum of 10 days; history of neuroleptic medication

BN vs HCs: absolute hypometabolism of glucose both globally and regionally, notably in the parietal and superior frontal cortices. The BN group also showed a lower relative regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the parietal cortex

4. Nozoe et al. (1995) [64]

Brain Research Bulletin, 36(3): 251-255.

BN (n=5)

AN (n=8)

HCs (n=9)

BN: 21.0 (2.9)

AN: 24.1 (7.8)

HCs: 20.3 (1.0)

100%

Examined rCBF using SPECT before and after food intake (slice of cake)

Left handedness; abnormal neurological findings

BN vs AN & HCs: highest rCBF before eating in the left temporal and bilateral inferior frontal regions. Also, BN showed less increase in cortical activity post-eating

BN and AN showed opposite patterns of frontal reaction to food stimuli

AN: showed no marked cortical laterality or activation in any cortical area pre-eating but showed greater increased cortical activity post-eating