Self-regulatory Control and Eating: A Neuroimaging Study of Bulimia Nervosa



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Psychiatric, Psychiatric
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 45
Updated:11/8/2014
Start Date:June 2011
Contact:Laura A Berner, M.S.
Email:fNIRSipStudy@drexel.edu
Phone:215-553-7133

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The purpose of this study will be to replicate previous findings of deficits in prefrontal
activation during response inhibition tasks in bulimia nervosa and extend these findings by
demonstrating similar deficiencies in activity during a functional behavioral task that
requires the inhibition of eating. Findings from this study will potentially help to
elucidate the underlying neural mechanisms of bulimia nervosa, and thus inform treatment and
prevention efforts.

Bulimia nervosa (BN), is a serious psychiatric disorder that has high rates of comorbidity
and often results in role impairment for the suffer. Thus far, although psychosocial and
behavioral risk factors and correlates of BN have been extensively researched, relatively
few studies have focused on brain-based determinants of BN. Identification of neural
mechanisms associated with self-regulatory control that may be integral in the development,
maintenance, and prevention of this debilitating condition would better inform treatment
development and eating disorder prevention efforts.

Participation in this study consists of a 3-3.5 hours study visit as well a a one year
follow up visit. The first portion of initial study visit is part of the screening process,
in which individuals will complete several questionnaires and be interviewed by the study
researcher in order to confirm eligibility. If a participant is eligible after the screening
portion, they move onto the rest of the initial visit. During the initial visit,
participants will complete a button pressing go/no-go task as well as a sipping go/no-go
task, all while wearing a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) device.

At a one year follow up appointment, individuals will again complete a variety of
self-report questionnaires and be interviewed by the study researcher, thus completing the
same measures used as screening tools in the initial visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Female

- Right-handed

- Age 18-45

- Between 85 and 120% of ideal body weight based on height

- Currently meeting proposed DSM-5 criteria for Bulimia Nervosa (at least one objective
bulimic episode and compensatory purging episode per week for the past three
months)

- Purging via self-induced vomiting

- Duration of illness of at least 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current significant medical illness

- Any disorder or condition resulting in difficulty swallowing (e.g., dysphagia)

- History of neurological disorders or diseases (e.g., stroke, seizures, heart disease,
head trauma with loss of consciousness)

- Drug or alcohol abuse in the past 6 months or any history of alcohol or drug
dependence

- Use of marijuana or any other illegal drug (e.g., cocaine, heroin, ecstasy) in the
week before the study visit

- IQ less than 75

- Pregnancy, lactation, or planning to become pregnant in the next year

- Allergy to sucrose, dairy, wheat, gluten, apples (i.e., any of the ingredients in the
strawberry yogurt shake or in the standardized meal prior to study participation)

- Participants rating the strawberry yogurt shake as a 5 or lower on a 9-point category
scale of liking will be excluded from further study

- Meeting the criteria for a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

- Any other current major Axis I disorder, other than major depressive disorder (MDD)
or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

- Inability to consent

- Prisoner
We found this trial at
1
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3301 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
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from
Philadelphia, PA
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