Evaluating the Brain's Response to Natural Versus Artificial Sweetener in Women Who Have Had an Eating Disorder
Condition: Eating Disorders
MeSH terms: Feeding and Eating Disorders
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      This study will compare the brain's ability to distinguish between natural and artificial
      sweeteners in women with and without a history of eating disorders.
    

Detailed description: 
      Eating disorders often result in serious illness and can lead to prolonged health
      complications, including heart and kidney problems, digestive disorders, nerve damage, and
      low blood pressure. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are examples eating disorders.
      People with anorexia nervosa do not eat enough in fear of becoming overweight, resulting in
      extreme weight loss. People with bulimia nervosa first binge by consuming hundreds or even
      thousands of calories within a very short time period and then purge by either vomiting or
      using laxatives. Women are at a greater risk of developing the disorders, particularly when
      they are between the ages of 12 and 24. Treatments for eating disorders typically include
      nutrition counseling, psychotherapy, and medication. To better understand eating disorders,
      this study will compare the brain's ability to distinguish between natural and artificial
      sweeteners in women with and without a history of eating disorders.

      All participants in this observational study will be administered a taste test to determine
      if they can consciously differentiate between a sugar solution and an artificially sweetened
      solution. Participants may also perform several brief computerized tests, ranging from 3 to
      10 minutes each, to evaluate thinking, memory, and information processing skills.
      Participants who cannot tell the difference between the solutions will undergo a functional
      magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan, which will take pictures of the brain and blood
      flowing through the brain. Prior to the scan, blood and urine collection may occur, and
      participants may complete two additional computerized tests. The scan will require 60 to 90
      minutes to complete. During the scan, participants will hold two thin tubes in their mouth.
      At various intervals, these tubes will deliver 1 ml of liquid containing either sugar water
      or an artificial sweetener into each participant's mouth. A screen projection of abstract
      pictures will also be shown to each participant throughout the scan, either before the liquid
      is delivered or alone. This study will require a 6- to 9-hour time commitment. The results
      from this study may provide valuable information regarding anorexia nervosa and bulimia
      nervosa and may eventually lead to the development of new and better treatment options for
      these complex and serious disorders.
    

Intervention name(s): Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan
Intervention type(s): Procedure
Intervention description(s): Healthy control women, recovered bulimia women, and also recovered anorexia women will complete specific tasks in an fMRI scanner that will take up to 60 minutes.
Other intervention name(s): Neurobiology of Eating Disorders; fMRI imaging of Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa
Observational model: Case-Control
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        The study will include women between the ages of 18 and 45 who have recovered from anorexia
        or bulimia nervosa for over 1 year and have no current medical problems.
      
Biospecimen description: 
      If desired subjects have a chance to be a part of a DNA blood draw aspect of the study
    
Keywords: anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa