Appetitive Conditioning in Anorexia Nervosa
This study aims to understand how young women with anorexia nervosa (AN) learn and experience positive feelings or rewards. Unlike most people who find things like food pleasurable, individuals with AN often don't. This research will explore how their brains make positive connections, how long these connections last, and if they can be remembered later. Researchers will use pleasant sounds, like baby laughter, and monitor brain activity, heart rate, and pupil responses to see how these connections are formed and maintained. The findings could help us better understand the biology behind AN and lead to more effective treatments that focus on improving how people with AN experience joy and reward.
At a glance
What is this study about?
People with anorexia nervosa often struggle to experience pleasure from things that most people find enjoyable, like eating food or social activities. This study is exploring a really important question: how do people with anorexia learn to associate certain things with positive feelings, or 'rewards'? Understanding this process, called 'appetitive conditioning,' could give us vital clues about why anorexia works the way it does.
The research will look at how positive associations are learned, how strong they are, and if they can be remembered after some time. For example, they'll see if people can still recall a positive feeling associated with a particular cue a day later. They'll also check how these processes affect body responses, like heart rate and pupil changes, and brain activity. The study hopes to shed light on whether starvation affects these learning processes.
Ultimately, the goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the brain's role in anorexia nervosa. This knowledge could be a big step towards developing new and better ways to help people recover and experience more joy in their lives. By focusing on how reward is learned, the researchers hope to find new avenues for treatment that go beyond just addressing eating habits.
Key takeaways
- This study investigates how people with anorexia learn to feel reward.
- It uses pleasant sounds, like baby laughter, as a way to study reward learning.
- Researchers will examine brain activity, heart rate, and pupil responses.
- The study aims to improve our understanding of anorexia's biology.
- Findings could lead to new types of treatments for anorexia.
- It involves two short visits and is open to young women aged 12-22 with current or past anorexia.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for young women aged between 12 and 22 years old. There are two main groups they're interested in:
One group includes those currently living with anorexia nervosa, specifically the restricting type. You would need to meet the official diagnosis criteria and be medically stable, meaning your heart rate and blood pressure are within a safe range. You should also not be taking psychiatric medications, or if you are, they need to be at a steady dose.
The second group is for young women who have recovered from anorexia nervosa (restricting type) in the past. For this group, you would need to have specific low scores on a questionnaire about eating issues, confirming that you are well. Similar to the other group, you shouldn't be taking psychiatric medications or should be on a stable dose if you are.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you female, between 12 and 22 years old?
- Do you currently have anorexia nervosa (restricting type) and are medically stable, OR have you fully recovered from it in the past?
- Are your heart rate and blood pressure within a safe range, or can you have them checked?
- Are you not currently taking psychiatric medications, or are you on a stable and consistent dose of certain types of medication?
What does participation involve?
The study involves a 'reward conditioning paradigm,' which means you would take part in activities designed to see how you learn positive associations. This will include listening to sounds like baby laughter. During these activities, researchers will measure your brain activity using fMRI (a type of brain scan), as well as your heart rate and how your pupils change. You will also be asked about your subjective experience of positive feelings. This will happen over two sessions: an initial conditioning session and then a follow-up 24 hours later to see if you remember what you learned. The total duration of your involvement isn't fully detailed but would involve these two sessions and the various measurements.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthVerified postcodeToronto, Canada
Common questions
What is 'appetitive conditioning'?
It's a scientific term for how our brains learn to connect certain things with positive feelings or rewards. This study wants to see how people with anorexia nervosa do this.
Will I have to eat anything in the study?
No, the study mentions using pleasant sounds like baby laughter, not food, as a reward stimulus. The focus is on brain responses and learning, not eating.
What is an fMRI scan?
An fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a special type of scan that helps researchers see which parts of your brain are active when you're doing certain tasks.
How long will I need to be involved?
The study involves an initial session and then a second session 24 hours later. The full time commitment for each session isn't specified, but it's not a long-term commitment.
Can boys or men join this study?
No, this specific study is only looking for women and girls between the ages of 12 and 22.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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