Eating Disorders Research Study

STUDY BASICS

Do you have anorexia and are you between the ages of 18-55? You may be able to participate in a research study looking at the relationship between cognitive function (mental processes like thinking and learning) and eating disorder symptoms. Study includes interviews, questionnaires, computer tasks, and an MRI scan. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are serious eating disorders that can lead to significant, and potentially fatal, medical complications. The purpose of this study is to help researchers better understand how adults with different types of eating disorders respond to cognitive tasks. Researchers hope these results will help identify processes in the brain related to eating disorders, and potentially help develop better treatments for people with eating disorders.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-55
• Have anorexia nervosa
• No history of head trauma
• Not pregnant
• Willing and able to have an MRI scan

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Study participation involves 4-5 visits over 6 months. The initial visit is a 2-3 hour screening procedure that includes an interview, cognitive tasks, a blood draw, and other tests. After the screening procedures, qualified participants will complete questionnaires and computer tasks (questionnaires and computer tasks may be done on another day if preferred). The MRI scan will take place on a different day and will take about 2.5 hours to complete. fMRI is a type of brain scan that takes pictures of the brain while people are thinking and looking at different things. The pictures show the parts of the brain that are active. fMRI is a painless procedure that does not use radiation, but uses radio waves, a large magnet, and a computer to create images. Follow-up assessments will take place 3 and 6 months after the fMRI scan. The follow-up assessments take about 2 hours each to complete and involve interviews, questionnaires, and measurement of your weight.