Understanding how eating affects control in bulimia nervosa
Official title: Dynamic Neural Computations Underlying Cognitive Control in Bulimia Nervosa
Run by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT05995496 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is trying to see how eating affects decision-making and control in people with bulimia nervosa by using brain scans and mobile assessments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 12, 2023 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | February 17, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT05995496 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are English-speaking females aged 18 to 45 with a BMI between 18.5 and 30 who meet DSM-5 criteria for bulimia nervosa.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with medical instability, ongoing psychiatric disorders, or contraindications for fMRI may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This project investigates the relationship between eating and control in individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) by utilizing a neurocomputational model that focuses on learning and decision-making. The study employs functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) alongside computational modeling and real-time mobile assessments to explore how fasting and eating influence brain function related to control and decision-making processes. The main objectives include assessing how eating impacts control-related prediction updating and cognitive effort valuation in BN, as well as predicting BN symptoms based on neural activation patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for individuals with bulimia nervosa by enhancing understanding of the mechanisms underlying their eating behaviors.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have explored the neurobiological aspects of eating disorders, but this specific approach combining fMRI and computational modeling in the context of bulimia nervosa is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Female * Aged 18 to 45 years * Current BMI greater than or equal to 18.5kg/m2 but under 30kg/m2 * Right-handed * English-speaking Additional Inclusion Criteria for Women with Bulimia Nervosa: * Meet DSM-5 criteria for bulimia nervosa Exclusion Criteria: * Medical instability * Ongoing medical treatment, medical condition, or psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study variables or participation * Shift work * Pregnancy, planned pregnancy, or lactation during the study period * Allergy to any of the ingredients in or unwillingness to consume the standardized meal or unwillingness to drink water during the fasting period * Any contraindication for fMRI
Where it's running
-
Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Laura A Berner, Ph.D. — Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Riley Macks, B.A.
- Email: riley.macks@mssm.edu
- Phone: (212) 824-9545
Similar studies
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.