Neural Links Between OCD and Anorexia

NCT02085057 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 18888
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) have long been observed to demonstrate symptoms in common with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), in particular, an obsessive fear of normal weight leading to dangerous food restriction, as well as many compulsive rituals about food. Both AN and OCD are seriously handicapping and often resistant to conventional therapies. Given that the two conditions often co-occur and are associated with still unknown genetic risk factors, the aim of this project is to identify their shared and distinct patterns of brain activity. The investigators propose to use functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain response among adolescents with AN, OCD, and age-matched healthy individuals. Specifically, this study will investigate function of distinct brain circuits related to core aspects of these related disorders. The investigators use three tasks related to set shifting, global vs. local processing, and reward. Based on evidence of deficits in cognitive flexibility and ability to change behavior, the investigators hypothesize that adolescents with AN and with OCD will show hypoactivity of frontostriatal circuitry during cognitive tasks, and adolescents with AN will show hyperactivity in limbic regions in a reward task. This study is the first to directly compare brain activation patterns using functional neuroimaging in AN and OCD. The goal is to determine how abnormal brain activity relates to symptom formation, what accounts for shared characteristics amongst these disorders, and whether deficits in specific circuitry underlie their unique defining features. The study of shared and unique elements of functional brain circuitry reflects a new, emerging approach to the classification of psychiatric illness, one based on identifying unique combinations of biological risk factors that link related conditions. This approach is widely believed to be a critical step forward in developing more brain-relevant targeted strategies for preventative interventions.

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Brain activity related to set shifting

  Baseline

• Brain activity related to global vs. local processing

  Baseline

• Brain activity related to reward

  Baseline

Study Arms (4)

anorexia nervosa

Diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

Procedure: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

obsessive-compulsive disorder

Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Procedure: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

healthy control

No psychiatric diagnoses

Procedure: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

sisters

Sisters of those enrolled with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

Procedure: Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Interventions

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging PROCEDURE

anorexia nervosa; healthy control; obsessive-compulsive disorder; sisters

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adolescent females ages 12-19 drawn from clinic and community populations. With diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or obsessive-compulsive disorder or no psychiatric diagnosis.

You may qualify if:

• female
• age 12-19
• anorexia nervosa diagnosis OR obsessive-compulsive diagnosis OR no psychiatric disorder

You may not qualify if:

• any contraindication for MRI (orthodontia, vascular stent, metallic ear tubes, metal implants, piercings, etc.)
• neurological disorder, psychiatric disorder, or any major sensory deficit not associated with eating disorders or OCD (blindness, head trauma, bipolar disorder, seizure disorder, etc.)
• pregnancy
• below 85% of ideal body weight

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Stanford University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding and Eating Disorders; Mental Disorders; Anxiety Disorders

Study Officials

• Cara Bohon, PhD

  Stanford University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 10, 2014
• First Posted: March 12, 2014
• Study Start: January 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2017
• Study Completion: April 1, 2017
• Last Updated: November 13, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-11

Locations

US (1)