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

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