Understanding how avoidance affects decision-making in anorexia and bulimia
Official title: Avoidance-driven Decision Making and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10996019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $437,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH135070-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996019 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural and behavioral processes that contribute to eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, focusing on how avoidance learning influences these conditions. By examining how individuals learn to avoid harmful outcomes, the study aims to differentiate between various coping strategies that lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as extreme dieting or binge eating. The research employs advanced methodologies to assess the brain's response to avoidance learning, which could reveal critical insights into the underlying mechanisms of these disorders. Ultimately, the goal is to inform the development of more effective interventions for those affected by these serious conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding the role of avoidance learning in eating disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wierenga, Christina E — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Wierenga, Christina E
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.
-
How reward, motivation, and learning drive anorexia and bulimia
This project looks at how people with anorexia or bulimia experience pleasure, motivation, and learning about food to understand why disordered eating keeps happening.
-
Understanding decision-making in anorexia nervosa
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.
-
Understanding how people with anorexia and bulimia process rewards and learn from experiences
This study is looking at why some people with eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, struggle with food even when it hurts them, by exploring how their brains respond to rewards and learn from their experiences, and it invites patients to share their thoughts and feelings about eating.
-
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.
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.