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

University of California, San Diego · NCT06566612

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–39 · Women only
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Observational
Target enrollment
78
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
August 1, 2024
Record last updated
May 1, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

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.

Conditions: Bulimia Nervosa; Anorexia Nervosa

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

Exclusion Criteria

  • 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

Recruiting US locations

  • UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program

    La Jolla, CA 92121

    Site contact: Sophie R Abber, MS · 858-534-0371 · sabber@health.ucsd.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Christina E Wierenga, PhD · 858-534-8047 · cwierenga@health.ucsd.edu
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Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa… (NCT06566612) | Bored Studies