Interoceptive Nutritional Processing in Healthy Participants and Patients With Binge-Eating-Disorder (BAG-C)

University of Heidelberg Medical Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Binge-Eating Disorder; Food Habits

Treatments: Behavioral: fmri

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04115852

S-545/2019

Details and patient eligibility

About

Binge-Eating-Disorder (BED) is a common eating disorder characterized by recurring episodes of uncontrollable eating. The underlying neural mechanisms are largely unknown. However, dysfunctional hormonal satiety signaling as well as dysfunctional neural processing of food cues are discussed as possible casual factors in the development and maintenance of this disorder. Additional research is needed to specify the exact contribution of these observations and how they interact with each other. Accordingly, the current study plans to investigate metabolic gut-brain signaling to better understand the underlying causes of abnormal eating behavior. To this end, 25 healthy normal weight control participants as well as 25 patients with BED will be recruited. The responsivity of the hypothalamus (i.e., the core region of homeostatic control) and its interaction with the mesocorticolimbic reward system will be assessed by applying a single-blind, randomized, crossover design of intravenous infusion of glucose or NaCl. This approach allows the study of gut-brain signaling to the hypothalamus and the reward system by controlling for sensory aspects of food intake (sight, smell, and taste). The interaction between the hypothalamus and the mesocorticolimbic reward system will be investigated using an effective connectivity analysis. FMRI with high spatial resolution and with an optimized protocol for the investigation of the hypothalamus and the mesocorticolimbic reward system will be employed. A better understanding of the underlying psychobiological mechanisms of BED is a fundamental requirement for the development of improved prevention and treatment strategies

Enrollment: 31 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria:

1. patients that meet the diagnostic criteria for BED
2. Over age of 18 years.
3. Right-handedness.
4. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
5. No other lifetime or current medical illness that could potentially affect appetite or body weight

Exclusion criteria (for all participants):

1. History of head injury or surgery
2. History of neurological disorder
3. Severe psychiatric comorbidity (psychosis, bipolar disorder, substance abuse)
4. Smoking
5. Borderline personality disorder
6. Current psychotropic medication
7. Inability to undergo fMRI scan (e.g. metallic implants, claustrophobia, pacemakers)
8. Pregnancy

Trial design

31 participants in 2 patient groups

CON

Description:

Healthy Controls

Treatment:

Behavioral: fmri

BED

Description:

Patients with Binge-Eating-Disorder

Treatment:

Behavioral: fmri