Neuroanatomical correlates of binge‐eating behavior: At the roots of unstoppable eating

Binge‐eating refers to episodes of uncontrolled eating accompanied by a perceived loss of control, which can be common in the general population. Given the profound negative consequences of persistent binge‐eating such as weight and eating disorders, it is vital to determine what makes someone more vulnerable than others to engage in such a conduct. A total of 42 normal-weight individuals (21 with binge‐eating episodes and 21 without binge‐eating episodes) underwent a structural magnetic resonance imaging measurement and Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was used to assess between‐group differences in terms of gray matter volume (GMV), together with self‐report impulsivity and binge‐eating measures. The results showed binge‐eating individuals as characterized by higher trait impulsivity and greater regional GMV in the left middle frontal gyrus: however, the GMV in this region appeared to be positively correlated only with measures of binge‐eating but not with trait impulsivity measures. These findings provide novel insights on the neurobiological roots of BE in normal‐weight individuals and highlight how this behavior can be associated with brain morphometric changes within prefrontal regions also in a non‐clinical population. Overall, this study provides a further characterization of the neural correlates of binge‐eating and novel insights into the treatment of its more severe pathological forms.