Brain Function in Adolescent Eating Disorders and Healthy Peers

Neurocircuitry of Temperament and Motivated Behavior in Adolescent Eating Disorders

This study of adolescent eating disorders (ED) will examine the association of temperament-based classifications, brain activation during incentive processing, and ED symptoms at time of scan and 1 year later to better understand the neurobiology and symptoms of ED. We will recruit 150 females currently ill with an ED and 50 controls ages 14-17 to investigate how temperaments reflecting greater inhibition, impulsivity, or effortful control correspond to 1) clinical symptoms and 2) the brain's response to anticipation and outcome of salient stimuli, and 3) by collecting follow-up clinical data one year later, identify how temperament-based subtypes predict ED symptom change (e.g., clinical prediction). Data collection will rely on a technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female
• Meet DSM-V criteria for an Eating Disorder or Never met criteria for an Eating disorder
• Medically stable
• Post-Pubertal (must have started menses, but subsequent loss of menses secondary to ED is fine).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Psychotic illness/other mental illness requiring hospitalization
• Current dependence on drugs or alcohol
• Physical conditions known to influence eating or weight (e.g, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy).
• On psychoactive medication
• Organic brain syndromes, delirium, psychotic disorders, or intellectual disability
• Neurological or medical disorders such as seizure disorder
• Any contraindication to undergoing an MRI
• Major depressive disorder
• Left handed