Neuropsychological processing in adolescents with BDD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A preliminary investigation into neuropsychological processing in adolescents with Body Dysmporhic Disorder. A comparison with Healthy Controls and Anorexia Nervosa.
IRAS ID
250290
Contact name
Amita Jassi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study will aim to provide a preliminary investigation of the neuropsychological processing profile of adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). It will also look for differences/similarities in processing with adolescents with the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa (AN).
BDD shares numerous clinical similarities with the eating disorder, Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Both disorders are concerned with a distortion in the perception in some aspect of appearance, they have a similar age of onset of typically in adolescence, as well as frequently co-occurring. Both disorders are also associated with significantly high morbidity rates.
Neuropsychological studies with adults with BDD and AN suggest that there may also be overlaps in cognitive processing styles. These studies have indicated thinking styles characterised by poor cognitive flexibility and a visuo-spatial processing style biased towards details in both disorders. Such characteristics may be both vulnerability and maintaining factors. This profile also seems to be present in adolescents with AN, however, there are currently no published studies investigating this in children and adolescents with BDD. Direct comparison in neuropsychological processing in BDD and AN using the same measures have not yet been carried out. This would provide valuable insights into similarities and differences between the disorders and could therefore enhance our understanding of common underlying mechanisms, as well as possible mechanisms that may be unique to BDD.
This study therefore aims to provide this data and contribute to the development of targeted and efficacious treatments.
Data has already been collected for both AN and healthy control participants. This study aims to collect data for 40 adolescents with BDD from the OCD/BDD clinic SLaM.
Participants will be asked to participate in neuropsychological tests and complete self-report measures in a single research appointment anticipated to last around 90 minutes.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1751
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion