Neurofeedback During Eating: A Novel Mechanistic Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of noninvasive prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurofeedback during eating in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) using a wearable brain imaging device, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The investigators will examine how this training may influence inhibitory control and BN symptoms.
Description
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of PFC neurofeedback during eating in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) using fNIRS. Specifically, the study aims 1) to demonstrate ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC) neurofeedback target engagement in women with BN using fNIRS; and 2) to link changes in PFC activation to changes in inhibitory control and eating-related symptoms. Data will be collected from women with BN who will be randomly assigned to one of two group conditions (real or sham-control neurofeedback during eating). Participation includes a phone screening assessment, psychodiagnostic a…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–45 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion criteria: * Female * Aged 18 to 45 years * Meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa * Current body mass index greater than or equal to 18.5kg/m2 but under 30kg/m2 * English-speaking Exclusion criteria: * Ongoing medical treatment, major medical condition, or psychiatric disorder that may interfere with study variables or participation * Current psychotherapy focused primarily on eating disorder symptoms * Pregnancy or planned pregnancy, or lactation during the study period * Allergy to ingredients in the standardized meal or in the shake
Interventions
- OtherReal fNIRS Neurofeedback
Participants will be instructed to use real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.
- OtherSham-Control fNIRS Neurofeedback
Participants will be instructed to use sham real-time fNIRS neurofeedback to non-invasively regulate neural activation associated with symptoms in individuals with bulimia nervosa. During the training, participants will view images on a computer screen, listen to sounds, and consume a shake.
Location
- Center for Computational Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew York, New York