Transcranial Treatments in Eating Disorders

Novel Transcranial Treatments to Modulate Taste Reward and Body Perception Pathways in Eating Disorders

The primary aim of this study is to study how Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) tailored to specific anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) brain activation alterations will promote recovery and to study how inhibitory tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) will reduce symptoms of body image distortion in a second sample of AN and BN groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anorexia Nervosa subjects:
• Meets DSM-5 criteria for anorexia nervosa (AN) either binge-eating/purging type or restricting-type:
• Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
• The ability to undergo an MRI, fMRI or other similar procedure requiring spending time in an enclosed space
• Bulimia Nervosa subjects:
• Meet DSM-5 criteria for bulimia nervosa (BN):
• Self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, medication, fasting, excessive exercise.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Electrolyte, blood count or kidney or liver function abnormalities.
• No symptoms of alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence in the past 3 months,
• No previous or current organic brain syndromes, dementia, psychotic disorders, somatization disorders, or conversion disorder, head trauma, indication of mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder.
• No antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants or Wellbutrin or other medication that may lower the seizure threshold.
• Claustrophobia.