Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

UCLA

Code:

NCT06566612

Conditions

Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 18 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Study Details

Brief summary:

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

Study ID

NCT06566612

Start date

Aug 1, 2024

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

Jul 31, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jul 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: Female

Age: 18 - 39

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

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

Study Design

Enrollment

78 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

Anorexia Nervosa

Participants that meet Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) criteria for Anorexia Nervosa.

Bulimia Nervosa

Participants that meet DSM-V criteria for Bulimia Nervosa.

Healthy Controls

Participants that do not meet DSM-V criteria for any disorder.

Primary outcome measure

  • Learning rate [ Time Frame: 25 minutes ]
  • fMRI brain response [ Time Frame: 25 minutes ]
  • Brain connectivity [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Christina E Wierenga, PhD

858-534-8047cwierenga@health.ucsd.edu

Locations

UCSD Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program

Recruiting

La Jolla, California, United States, 92121

Contacts

Sophie R Abber, MS

858-534-0371sabber@health.ucsd.edu

Katherine Gandee, BS

858-534-0371kgandee@health.ucsd.edu

Principal Investigator:

Christina E Wierenga, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of California, San Diego

Last update posted

May 1, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of California, San Diego on 2026-05-01.