Neuro-cognitive Profiles of Patients With Nutritional and Eating Disorders

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to better understand the psychological and cognitive characteristics of Feeding and Eating Disorders (FEDs), focusing especially on Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). ARFID is a condition marked by severe food avoidance not related to weight or shape concerns, but rather sensory sensitivities, fear of eating, or lack of interest in food. The study explores cognitive flexibility, autistic traits, body representation, and inhibitory control to clarify differences and similarities among ARFID and other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Participants include adults aged 14 to 65 of all genders, with diagnoses of ARFID, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or no history of eating disorders (healthy controls). Each participant completes several behavioral and computer-based tasks such as the Go/No-go task assessing response to food stimuli, the Implicit Association Test (IAT) measuring automatic attitudes towards body images, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) evaluating cognitive flexibility. Each participant undergoes all assessments, with specific randomization in how tasks are administered. During the study, participants complete self-report questionnaires on autistic traits, body image, and psychological well-being. They perform tasks designed to measure cognitive flexibility, decision-making, inhibitory control, and automatic food-related associations. Researchers will assess participants' cognitive profiles, body perception, and neural responses to food-related stimuli. The study monitors these factors at baseline and aims to improve understanding of the cognitive and behavioral features that distinguish ARFID from other feeding and eating disorders. Participation involves non-invasive and safe procedures conducted under medical supervision.

Cognitive Evaluation of Patients With Eating Disorders