Effects of Negative Affect in Individuals With Binge Eating Episodes (NCT03393039)
Neural Effects of Negative Affect on Food Choices and Reward In Individuals With Binge Eating Episodes
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Binge-eating is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of - typically high calorie - foods, eating much more rapidly than normal and until feeling uncomfortably full, as well as feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or guilty after those episodes. Two eating disorders are characterized by binge-eating as central diagnostic criteria, binge-eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN). Binge-eating episodes in BN, but not BED, are typically followed by compensatory mechanisms such as self-induced vomiting, and BED is typically associated with obesity, while BN is not. Behavior studies such as ecological momentary assessment (EMA) research of affect in an individual's naturalistic environment have shown that negative affect and negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) often precede binge-eating. The Investigators want to answer the following questions: Can negative affect in BN and BED be linked to 1) altered dopamine related brain reinforcement learning, 2) to food value computation and cognitive control circuit function, and 3) can dopamine related brain activation predict eating and negative affect, indicating a brain based neurobiological vulnerability. Answering those questions will help to define binge-eating based on regulation of brain reward, cognition, and emotion circuit function and point toward potential psychopharmacological interventions to normalize brain function and behavior.
Who can join: Review the eligibility criteria below.
Location: University of California at San Diego — San Diego, California
Age range: 18 Years to 55 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
- Negative Affect Task (BEHAVIORAL)
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistFull eligibility criteria are available on the official NIH protocol. View the criteria ↗
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- University of California at San Diego — San Diego, California
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Bulimia Nervosa
- Understanding and Targeting Self-Regulatory Control in Bulimia Nervosa — New York, New York
- Neurofeedback During Eating for Bulimia Nervosa — New York, New York
- MDMA Assisted Therapy for BN — New York, New York
- Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa — La Jolla, California
- Neurobiological and Psychological Maintenance Mechanisms Associated With Anticipatory Reward in Bulimia Nervosa — Minneapolis, Minnesota
Explore by condition: All Bulimia Nervosa clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Review the official NIH record below to find the coordinating site.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.