Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Investigation Into Compulsivity in Anorexia

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-05-05

Study Completion Date

2018-02-07

Brief Summary

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The investigators will examine compulsivity in those who have recovered from anorexia nervosa, using a multi-modal MRI study. The neural activation of key fronto-striatal areas will be explored using a task which examines set-shifting and reversal-learning, two key components of compulsivity. Additionally, the functional networks displayed during resting-state MRI will be examined between groups, as will the neurochemicals present (using Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy).

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Detailed Description

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The investigators will perform four different MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans during one scanning session on those who have recovered from anorexia nervosa (AN) and healthy controls.

Participants will come to the Warneford hospital for a 2.5 hour screening visit, which will consist of questionnaires and interviews to determine their medical and psychiatric history and current mood, along with a practice of the task they'll do in the scanner. Participants will also complete two tasks which measure compulsivity and can be correlated with their brain activity in the scans. The investigators will also go through a scanning safety form with participants at this time.

Participants will also attend a scanning visit, which will last 1.5 hours. One of the scans will look at how the brain responds to a particular task. This task will examine aspects of compulsivity (which is rigidly repeating actions that aren't rewarding) by using face and house stimuli (see reference 1).

The investigators will also perform a scan when participants are at rest, in order to see if there are differences in the way areas of the brain connect to each other who used to have AN. The scientific literature indicates that there may be differences in the some key brain networks, including one which is thought to be involved in reflection and the self (the default mode network), which might also be linked to compulsivity (see reference 2).

This study will also further investigate some initial pilot findings using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, which allows researchers to examine the levels of different neurochemicals in the brain. It has been found that those with a current diagnosis of AN have lower levels of glutamate (a key brain chemical) compared to healthy controls, which is a finding we seek to extend in those who have recovered from AN (see reference 3).

Aims: The investigators aim to see whether there are differences in the brains of those who have recovered from anorexia compared to those who have never had an anorexia diagnosis. This will be both at rest, and whilst participants are doing a task which measures compulsivity, as compulsivity is thought to be a particular risk factor for eating disorders.

Value: If the investigators are able to identify differences, these might reflect underlying risk factors for eating disorders, which could lead to potential future treatments or prevention schemes.

Conditions

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Anorexia Nervosa in Remission (Disorder) Compulsive Behavior

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

All participants undero go an MRI scan, complete some questionnaires and two computer tasks. Participants are in two groups: those who have recovered from anorexia nervosa, and healthy control participants.

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Recovered from anorexia nervosa

Women who have recovered from Anorexia Nervosa for over a year. BMI over 18.5, aged 18-40, scores on Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) within 1 standard deviation of the global mean. All these participants undergo an MRI scan.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MRI

Intervention Type OTHER

MRI scan, including structural imaging, functional imaging (both task-related and structural), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Healthy controls

Healthy control women. BMI over 18.5, aged 18-40, scores on EDE within 1 standard deviation of the global mean. All these participants undergo an MRI scan.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

MRI

Intervention Type OTHER

MRI scan, including structural imaging, functional imaging (both task-related and structural), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Interventions

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MRI

MRI scan, including structural imaging, functional imaging (both task-related and structural), and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Able and willing to give informed consent
* BMI over 18.5 and has remained so for the last year
* Score lower than mean+1 standard deviation of global mean scores for young women on the EDE
* Fluent English speaker
* Former diagnosis of anorexia nervosa in relevant group

Exclusion Criteria

* Any current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder which in the investigator's opinion could impact study results (e.g. significant depression, anxiety or OCD).
* Any current psychotropic medications.
* Eyesight problems that would prohibit participating in a task-fMRI study.
* Current regular cigarette smoking of over 5 cigarettes per day.
* Recent use of illicit drugs.
* Alcohol intake which indicates an element of alcohol abuse; or unwillingness to refrain from drinking the night before the study visit.
* Any contraindications to MRI scanning (including claustrophobia).
* Participant is pregnant or breast-feeding.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes