Skip to content

Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05056597
Enrollment
252
Registered
2021-09-24
Start date
2022-05-26
Completion date
2027-01-01
Last updated
2026-04-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa

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.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

University of California, San Diego
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 39 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

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 Additional

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
BOLD response1 YearBrain activity associated with 'liking', 'wanting', and learning
Reward and Punishment Learning1 YearTask reinforcement learning rate in reward and punishment trials
Connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM)1 YearFunctional connectivity maps from task-based fMRI data and clinical data

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTChristina Wierenga
cwierenga@health.ucsd.edu858-534-8047

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Apr 29, 2026