Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa

In brief

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.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT06566612

Run by

University of California, San Diego

People needed

78

Starts

2024-08-01

Expected to finish

2027-07-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-01

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 39. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Eating Disorder Group:
• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Meet DSM-V criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa
• Healthy Controls:
• Between the ages of 18 and 39 years old
• Have maintained 85% to 120% ideal body weight since menarche

You may not qualify if…

• 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
• Additional Exclusion Criteria for ED Group:
• If taking other psychotropic medication, any change in dosage in the 2 weeks before scanning
• Additional Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Control Group:
• 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

Where it is running

• UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program — La Jolla, California, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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