Actively Recruiting
Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-05-01
78
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
156 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The purpose of this study is to investigate areas of the brain responsible for avoidance learning in adults with eating disorders using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, 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 78 women with an eating disorder (26 with anorexia nervosa \[AN\], 26 with bulimia nervosa \[BN\]) and 26 healthy controls (HC) aged 18-39. Aim 1: Evaluate behavioral differences in active and passive avoidance learning in eating disorders and associations with symptoms. Aim 2: Evaluate whether corticostriatal and limbic-prefrontal fMRI BOLD response associated with avoidance learning differs in eating disorders relative to healthy controls and relates to symptoms. Aim 3: Evaluate whether functional connectivity of avoidance learning neural circuity differs in eating disorders relative to healthy controls.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Eating Disorder Group: Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
- Eating Disorder Group: Meet DSM-V criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
- Healthy Controls: Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
- Healthy Controls: Have maintained 85% to 120% ideal body weight since menarche
You will not qualify if you...
- Psychotic illness or other mental illness requiring hospitalization
- Current dependence on drugs or alcohol defined by DSM IV criteria
- Positive drug test on the day of scan (except marijuana)
- Physical conditions influencing eating or weight (e.g., diabetes mellitus, pregnancy)
- Neurological disorder, neurodevelopmental disorder, or history of head injury with over 30 minutes loss of consciousness
- Any contraindication to undergoing an MRI
- Primary obsessive compulsive disorder or primary major depressive disorder
- For Eating Disorder Group: Change in psychotropic medication dosage within 2 weeks before scanning
- For Healthy Control Group: Current diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder
- For Healthy Control Group: Any history of binge eating or purging behaviors
- For Healthy Control Group: Use of psychoactive or other medication affecting mood or concentration in the last 3 months
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program
La Jolla, California, United States, 92121
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Christina E Wierenga, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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