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Multimodal Longitudinal and Predictive Modelling to Understand Eating Disorder Development

Completed
Conditions
Binge-Eating Disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Interventions
Other: MRI scans
Other: Psychological measures
Other: Life experiences
Biological: Blood and urine samples
Other: Mental health symptoms
Registration Number
NCT06050616
Lead Sponsor
King's College London
Brief Summary

The aim of this observational study is to elucidate the biopsychosocial (including neural, psychological, and social) basis of eating disorders (EDs).

The investigators will use functional and structural neuroimaging, psychological as well as environmental data to identify both shared and distinct behavioural/neural processes across ED diagnoses. The investigators will use advanced statistical methods such as machine learning based models.

The investigators will carry out analysis on the data already collected in the STRATIFY (Brain network based stratification of reinforcement-related disorders, IRAS ID 218030) and IMAGEN studies (Reinforcement-related behaviour in normal brain function and psychopathology, reference PNM/10/11-126), including participants with Anorexia Nervosa (N=60), Bulimia Nervosa (N=52), Binge eating disorder (N=27) and healthy controls. In addition, the investigators will recruit 30 new participants with a binge eating disorder using the original STRATIFY study protocol to enlarge the binge eating disorder group, so that its sample size is comparable to the other groups.

Participants will complete online questionnaires, take an online clinical interview, and undergo a research visit, including brain scans, collection of blood and urine samples, and assessment using a range of cognitive and behavioural measures.

Detailed Description

Eating disorders (EDs) are serious mental illnesses that involve a range of disturbed emotions, cognitions, and behaviours related to body shape/weight and eating. The causes of EDs are complex and involve many biological, psychological, and social factors. The investigators are interested in understanding the connections between a range of biological, psychological, social factors and eating disorders. This will help us understand the basis of diagnostic classifications, which will promote early intervention and the identification of new areas to target in treatments.

The investigators will analyse the data already collected in the STRATIFY (Brain network based stratification of reinforcement-related disorders, IRAS ID 218030) and IMAGEN studies (Reinforcement-related behaviour in normal brain function and psychopathology, reference PNM/10/11-126), including patients with Anorexia Nervosa (N=60), Bulimia Nervosa (N=52), Binge eating disorder (N=27) and healthy controls. In addition, the investigators will recruit 30 new participants with a current binge eating disorder using the original STRATIFY protocol to enlarge the binge eating disorder group, so that its sample size is comparable to the other groups. Due to funding limitations, 18 participants will take part in the full assessments, including the research visit (MRI scans, blood, and urine samples). The other 12 participants will take part in the online parts of the assessments only, without the research visit.

The investigators will use neuroimaging, cognitive, psychological and life events data to assess if behavioural/neural processes differentiate one eating disorder from another and if there are similar processes across ED diagnoses. The investigators will use advanced statistical methods such as machine learning based models.

The investigators will further test whether the identified behavioural and neurological processes can predict future disease risk, by using data from the IMAGEN study - a longitudinal population-based genetic and imaging study - that involves over 2000 participants followed up from adolescence to early adulthood.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
23
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male and female volunteers, all ethnicities.
  • Age of 18 to 30.
  • Sufficient in English (due to validity of neuropsychological measures).
  • current DSM-5 binge eating disorder.
Exclusion Criteria
  • People with brain injuries including stroke, tumours, epilepsy, neurodegenerative or other neurological disorders.
  • People who are deaf or have significant hearing problems or a hearing aid that cannot be removed.
  • People who are blind or have significant vision difficulties (correct near vision of 20/100 or worse in both eyes).
  • People with type I or type II diabetes.
  • People who are heavily medicated for serious illness (other than for mental illness).
  • People who are pregnant or any possibility of being pregnant.
  • People with restricted mobility, including inability to lie flat for 1.5 hours.
  • People who have a history of anorexia nervosa and have not restored their body weight in the past 6 months.
  • People who have participated in the STRATIFY, ESTRA or IMAGEN studies previously.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
binge eating disorderLife experiencesParticipants with a current binge eating disorder, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. An additional 30 participants will be recruited in this study to enlarge the sample size, using the same study procedure and assessments in the STRATIFY study.
binge eating disorderMRI scansParticipants with a current binge eating disorder, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. An additional 30 participants will be recruited in this study to enlarge the sample size, using the same study procedure and assessments in the STRATIFY study.
bulimia nervosaBlood and urine samplesParticipants with current bulimia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
binge eating disorderPsychological measuresParticipants with a current binge eating disorder, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. An additional 30 participants will be recruited in this study to enlarge the sample size, using the same study procedure and assessments in the STRATIFY study.
binge eating disorderBlood and urine samplesParticipants with a current binge eating disorder, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. An additional 30 participants will be recruited in this study to enlarge the sample size, using the same study procedure and assessments in the STRATIFY study.
binge eating disorderMental health symptomsParticipants with a current binge eating disorder, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. An additional 30 participants will be recruited in this study to enlarge the sample size, using the same study procedure and assessments in the STRATIFY study.
anorexia nervosaMRI scansParticipants with current anorexia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version).. These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
anorexia nervosaPsychological measuresParticipants with current anorexia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version).. These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
anorexia nervosaLife experiencesParticipants with current anorexia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version).. These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
anorexia nervosaBlood and urine samplesParticipants with current anorexia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version).. These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
anorexia nervosaMental health symptomsParticipants with current anorexia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version).. These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
bulimia nervosaMRI scansParticipants with current bulimia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
bulimia nervosaPsychological measuresParticipants with current bulimia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
bulimia nervosaLife experiencesParticipants with current bulimia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
bulimia nervosaMental health symptomsParticipants with current bulimia nervosa, as assessed by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Screen (DSM-5 version). These participants have been recruited as part of the STRATIFY study. Their data will be used in this study.
healthy controlsMRI scansHealthy controls are selected from the IMAGEN study at the third follow-up (\~age 22 years) who do not exhibit any psychiatric disorder. Their data will be used in this study. IMAGEN and STRATIFY are sister studies that employ matched study protocols.
healthy controlsPsychological measuresHealthy controls are selected from the IMAGEN study at the third follow-up (\~age 22 years) who do not exhibit any psychiatric disorder. Their data will be used in this study. IMAGEN and STRATIFY are sister studies that employ matched study protocols.
healthy controlsLife experiencesHealthy controls are selected from the IMAGEN study at the third follow-up (\~age 22 years) who do not exhibit any psychiatric disorder. Their data will be used in this study. IMAGEN and STRATIFY are sister studies that employ matched study protocols.
healthy controlsBlood and urine samplesHealthy controls are selected from the IMAGEN study at the third follow-up (\~age 22 years) who do not exhibit any psychiatric disorder. Their data will be used in this study. IMAGEN and STRATIFY are sister studies that employ matched study protocols.
healthy controlsMental health symptomsHealthy controls are selected from the IMAGEN study at the third follow-up (\~age 22 years) who do not exhibit any psychiatric disorder. Their data will be used in this study. IMAGEN and STRATIFY are sister studies that employ matched study protocols.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Eating disorder diagnosisAdministered at the screening phase and within two weeks of the other assessments.

The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (DSM-5 version) will be used to assess whether the participants meet the diagnostic criteria of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating disorder.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London

🇬🇧

London, United Kingdom

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