Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

NCT ID: NCT05056597

Last Updated: 2025-03-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 252 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2022-05-26
• Study Completion Date: 2027-01-31

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate areas of the brain responsible for 'liking', 'wanting', and learning in adults with eating disorders using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, a test meal, and self-report questionnaires and interviews. The investigators will study changes in brain activity using a procedure called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This study will include 252 women with an eating disorder (63 AN-restricting type (AN-R), 63 AN-binge eating/purging type (AN-BP), 63 bulimia nervosa (BN)) and 63 healthy controls (HC) aged 18-39.

Aim 1: To examine neural differences in 'liking' and 'wanting' in ED relative to HC.

Aim 2: To examine differences in instrumental learning for reward and punishment in ED relative to HC.

Aim 3: To examine how 'liking' and 'wanting' drive instrumental learning in ED and predict clinical symptoms at baseline and 1 year later.

Exploratory Aim: To explore the associations of dopamine function, as measured by neuromelanin MRI (NM-MRI), with ED diagnosis and brain response to 'liking', 'wanting', and learning.

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

AN-R

Participants that meet Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for Anorexia Nervosa restricting subtype.

No interventions assigned to this group

AN-BP

Participants that meet DSM-V criteria for Anorexia Nervosa binging/purging subtype

No interventions assigned to this group

BN

Participants that meet DSM-V criteria for Bulimia Nervosa.

No interventions assigned to this group

Healthy Controls

Participants that do not meet DSM-V criteria for any disorder.

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Eating Disorder Group:

• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Meet DSM-V criteria for AN-R, AN-BP, or BN

Healthy Control Group:

• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Have maintained 85% to 120% ideal body weight since menarche

Exclusion Criteria

All Groups:

• Psychotic illness/other mental illness requiring hospitalization
• Current dependence on drugs or alcohol defined by DSM IV criteria. Additionally, positive test results for drug use on the day of the scan, apart of marijuana, will result in cancelling or rescheduling the scan because acute use will impact MRI measures.
• Physical conditions (e.g. diabetes mellitus, pregnancy) known to influence eating or weight
• Neurological disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, or history of head injury with >30 min loss of consciousness
• Any contraindication to undergoing an MRI
• Primary obsessive compulsive disorder or primary major depressive disorder

-If taking other psychotropic medication, any change in dosage in the 2 weeks before scanning

• Meet criteria for the diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder currently
• Any history of binge eating or purging behaviors, including self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse
• Use of any psychoactive or other medication known to affect mood or concentration in the last 3 months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 39 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of California, San Diego

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Christina Wierenga

Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program

La Jolla, California, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Christina Wierenga

Role: CONTACT

cwierenga@health.ucsd.edu

858-534-8047

Facility Contacts

Megan Martinho

Role: primary

mamartinho@health.ucsd.edu

858-210-0318

Katherine Gandee

Role: backup

kgandee@health.ucsd.edu

858-534-0371

Other Identifiers

800775

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id