Understanding how people with Anorexia Nervosa value food
Constructing the subjective value of food in Anorexia Nervosa
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · NIH-11180086
This project aims to understand why people with Anorexia Nervosa consistently choose low-calorie foods, hoping to find new ways to help them make healthier food choices.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180086 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We want to understand the brain processes and thinking patterns that lead individuals with Anorexia Nervosa to consistently choose low-calorie foods. By using advanced brain imaging (fMRI) and eye-tracking technology, we can observe how people with AN decide what foods they prefer. We will compare these patterns to those of healthy individuals to pinpoint the differences. Ultimately, this work seeks to discover how we might gently guide food preferences towards healthier options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Individuals diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa and healthy volunteers would be ideal candidates for participation in this research.
Not a fit: Patients whose condition does not involve maladaptive food choice or who are not diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments that help individuals with Anorexia Nervosa make healthier food choices and improve their long-term recovery.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific mechanisms of food valuation in Anorexia Nervosa are not fully understood, similar brain imaging and computational modeling approaches have successfully advanced our understanding of decision-making in other conditions.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BAKKOUR, AKRAM — UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- Study coordinator: BAKKOUR, AKRAM
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 below.