Attention and memory contributions to the maintenance of binge eating

Attention and memory contributions to the maintenance of binge eating PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Binge eating (BE) is a transdiagnostic symptom of multiple eating disorders, including binge eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN), that involves the overconsumption of food accompanied by a sense of having lost control over one’s eating. Individuals who exhibit recurrent binge eating are at

elevated risk for early death, increased psychosocial impairment, and a range of additional psychiatric and medical problems, including obesity. However, treatments for BED and BN have demonstrated limited effectiveness, and the pathophysiological bases of these debilitating conditions remains poorly

understood. Given this, there is a critical need to clarify the underlying mechanisms that contribute to binge eating maintenance. The proposed project will contribute to this endeavor by using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and electroencephalography (EEG) to study the relationship between food cue exposure, food craving, and binge eating, and how these relationships are influenced by

alterations in attention and memory processes. Specifically, we propose to test the hypothesis that exposure to food cues promotes binge eating episodes via increased food craving. In addition, we will test the further hypothesis that food cue exposure interacts with food-specific attention and memory

biases to increase food craving and the likelihood of binge eating. Results from this study would provide critically needed guidance regarding biobehavioral mechanisms of binge-eating behavior, and illuminate possible treatment targets to help improve the efficacy of interventions for eating disorders.