Electro-cortical Processing in Anorexia Nervosa: An ERP Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Electro-cortical processing of food and emotional stimuli among individuals with anorexia nervosa: An ERP study
IRAS ID
229003
Contact name
Rayane Chami
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 6 days
Research summary
This project aims to assess and compare cognitive processes relating to attention, emotion processing, inhibitory response to food stimuli, and response to social criticism among patients with anorexia nervosa, weight restored individuals with a past episode of anorexia nervosa, and ‘healthy’ controls. Neural correlates of the cognitive processes will be explored by measuring event-related potentials (ERPs) using electroencephalography (EEG) imaging technique. Moreover, it aims to explore autism-spectrum-related and ADHD/ADD symptoms among patients with anorexia nervosa and weight restored individuals with a past episode of anorexia nervosa. Participants will be asked to complete a battery of questionnaires, including assessments of eating disorder behaviour, self-regulation of eating, fear of negative evaluation, early life trauma, hunger, anxiety, depression, and rejection sensitivity. Next, they will be asked to enter the laboratory to complete four computerized tasks during EEG assessment, complete the TOVA ADHD assessment, take part in an Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) assessment, and the Diagnostic Interview for Adult ADHD (DIVA). The research has important implications for exploring neural correlates indicative of inhibitory control, attention to emotional faces, and the influence of social criticism on attention towards food. It paves the way for accurate, basic science-driven interventions as well as an improved understanding of psychological and neurological mechanisms involved in maintaining eating disorders.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1495
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion