Phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopic observations in 4 cases with anorexia nervosa.

1. Brain phosphorus metabolism was examined using phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 4 patients with anorexia nervosa. 2. In 4 patients examined before treatment, phosphodiester (PDE) peak area was significantly higher than that in 13 normal females. 3. In 6 data points in 4 patients, lower levels of PME were associated with malnutrition reflected by endocrinological abnormalities. 4. These data suggest that severe malnutrition in patients with anorexia nervosa may result in abnormality in membrane phospholipid metabolism, which might be responsible for brain atrophy in anorexia nervosa.