The Neural Bases of Emotion Regulation in Bulimia Nervosa

NCT03781921 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 1819/IRASLR-V/1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This project aims to explore emotional processing and regulation in individuals with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) with a view to better understand its underlying causes. Previous research suggests that binge eating and purging behaviours may be linked to difficulties with emotions and impulses. However, most of the research has been conducted using self-report methods, despite the fact that these individuals have difficulties identifying and describing their emotions (known as alexithymia), making the use of self-report questionable. This project is the first to use electroencephalography (EEG) as an objective method to disentangle emotional processing and regulation in these individuals. A combination of three tasks and questionnaires will be used to measure various aspects of an emotional response and its link to impulsive behaviours in individuals with BN (N=35) and healthy controls (N=35). This study has the potential to inform future treatment for these individuals.

Conditions

Bulimia Nervosa; Emotions; Emotional Impulsivity

Keywords

eating disorder; Electroencephalography; emotion regulation; emotion processing; negative urgency

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• LPP

  Late Positive Potential differences in amplitude between the different groups and different conditions

  Only once on the day of the electroencephalography task

• N1

  Differences in amplitude between the different groups and different conditions

  Only once on the day of the electroencephalography task

• P50

  Differences in amplitude between the different groups and different conditions

  Only once on the day of the electroencephalography task

• False alarm rate

  Differences in rate between the different groups and different conditions

  Only once on the day of the task

Study Arms (2)

BN

Females with a current diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa between 18 and 50 years old

Other: No intervention

Controls

Females with no current or past diagnosis of any eating disorder; between 18 and 50 years old

Other: No intervention

Interventions

No intervention OTHER

There is no intervention. Each group will conduct the same tasks and questionnaires and we will compare performances between groups.

BN; Controls

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only individuals being genetically females (As opposed to simply identifying as one) will be taking part in the study.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be identified as they come to be diagnosed at Kimmeridge Court in Bournemouth, the local NHS clinic for people with eating disorders. Leaflets will be left in the waiting room area and their clinician will also give individual leaflets to individuals those patients meeting our inclusion criteria.

You may qualify if:

• Females
• Fluent in English
• With a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa for the BN group and without a diagnosis of any eating disorder for the control group

You may not qualify if:

• Males
• Under 18 or over 50

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bournemouth University: lead
• University College, London: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Bournemouth University

Bournemouth, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom

Location

Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

Bournemouth, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bulimia Nervosa; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Emotional Regulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Self-Control; Social Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Laura Renshaw-Vuillier, PhD

  Bournemouth University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 10, 2018
• First Posted: December 20, 2018
• Study Start: October 30, 2019
• Primary Completion: August 31, 2023
• Study Completion: August 31, 2023
• Last Updated: February 28, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: The participant's anonymous data will be saved for 10 years on Bournemouth secured online data repository
• Access Criteria: Anyone with the link will be able to acess the data. The link will be distributed during the publication process.

Locations

GB (2)