Understanding decision-making in anorexia nervosa
Official title: Rule-Based Decision-Making: A Novel Neuroeconomic Mechanism of Anorexia Nervosa
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11135363 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people with anorexia nervosa make choices and why they might struggle to change their thinking or behavior, with the hope of finding better ways to help them in their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $535,502 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH126978-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135363 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who exhibit cognitive and behavioral inflexibility.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anorexia nervosa or those with other psychiatric disorders unrelated to decision-making dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individuals with anorexia nervosa make decisions, particularly focusing on their cognitive and behavioral inflexibility. By utilizing a novel neuroeconomic approach, the study aims to identify specific decision-making dysfunctions that contribute to the relentless pursuit of weight loss in these patients. The researchers will employ a unique task designed to probe decision processes, which may lead to more targeted and effective interventions for anorexia nervosa. The goal is to enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this disorder and improve treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatments for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: This approach is relatively novel, but prior research in decision neuroscience has shown promise in understanding other psychiatric disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haynos, Ann Frances — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Haynos, Ann Frances
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Rule-Based Decision-Making in Anorexia Nervosa
Researchers are studying how people with anorexia nervosa make decisions to understand why weight loss becomes a rigid pattern, with the aim of guiding better treatments.
-
Rule-based decision habits in anorexia nervosa
This project looks at whether rigid, rule-based decision habits keep people with anorexia nervosa stuck in harmful eating and behavior patterns.
-
Understanding how avoidance affects decision-making in anorexia and bulimia
This study is looking at how the way we learn to avoid bad experiences affects eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, with the hope of finding better ways to help people who struggle with these issues.
-
Understanding decision-making in anorexia nervosa using brain imaging techniques
This study is looking at how young women with anorexia nervosa make decisions, especially when things are uncertain, to better understand their thought processes and help improve treatment options.
-
Understanding how octopuses integrate sensory information and make decisions
This study is exploring how octopuses use their arms to grip things by looking closely at their nervous system and movements, which could help us understand their amazing abilities better.
-
NoviGuide for Newborn Care in Pakistan
A small NIH grant to test a pocket-sized decision support tool for nurses and doctors to improve newborn care in Pakistan.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.