Actively Recruiting
Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Led by University of California, San Diego · Updated on 2026-04-28
252
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
240 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 '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
Official Title
Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women aged 18 to 39 years
- For eating disorder group: Meet DSM-V criteria for anorexia nervosa restricting type, anorexia nervosa binge eating/purging type, or bulimia nervosa
- For healthy controls: Aged 18 to 39 years
- Healthy controls must have maintained 85% to 120% of 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 as defined by DSM IV criteria
- Positive drug test on scan day (except marijuana), leading to scan cancellation or rescheduling
- Physical conditions affecting eating or weight such as diabetes mellitus or pregnancy
- Neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders or history of head injury with more than 30 minutes loss of consciousness
- Any contraindication to MRI
- Primary obsessive compulsive disorder or major depressive disorder
- For eating disorder group: Changes in psychotropic medication dosage within 2 weeks before scanning
- For healthy controls: Current diagnosis of any psychiatric disorder
- For healthy controls: Any history of binge eating or purging behaviors including self-induced vomiting or laxative/diuretic misuse
- For healthy controls: Use of psychoactive or mood/concentration affecting medication in the last 3 months
AI-Screening
AI-Powered 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 Wierenga
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
4
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