The purpose of this investigation is to identify the potentially crucial role of anticipatory reward mechanisms maintaining bulimic behavior (i.e., binge eating and purging) in bulimia nervosa (BN). The research will investigate neural and psychological anticipatory processes in BN, both in the scanner and the natural environment.
Right-handed
Ability to read and speak in English
Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) diagnosis of BN (i.e., at least one objective bulimic episode and one self-induced vomiting episode per week for at three months) with binge episodes always accompanied by self-induced vomiting
Stable dose for at least 6 weeks of any recent changes in medication impacting mood, appetite, or weight
History of gastric bypass surgery
Medical condition acutely affecting eating behavior and/or weight (i.e., pregnancy, lactation, thyroid disease)
Current medical or psychiatric instability (i.e., hospitalization required in the past three months)
Lifetime history of psychosis or bipolar disorder