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