The Influence of Fasting and Eating on the Neural Computations Underlying Self-Control in Bulimia Nervosa

Individuals with bulimia nervosa binge-eat and purge (e.g., self-induced vomiting, laxatives and/or diuretic misuse, and compulsive exercise) to control their shape or weight or to compensate for an episode of loss-of-control eating.  

This project investigates the influence of acute fasting and eating on the neural computations underlying self-control in bulimia nervosa.

My contribution to the project included:

• Managed study protocol amendments with the Institutional Review Board
• Programmed surveys in REDCap
• Created comprehensive study protocol
• Coordinated study recruitment, screening, and data collection procedures
• Administered and scored neurocognitive assessments (e.g., Abbreviated Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WASI-II))
• Conducted comprehensive psychodiagnostic interviews with over 100 study participants with eating disorders and healthy controls using the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE v.17.0), the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), and the borderline personality disorder (BPD) Module of the SCID-5 Personality Disorders(SCID-5-PD)
• Managed neuroimaging and behavioral data
• Managed study databases and trackers in Microsoft Excel and Access
• Cleaned, scored, and visualized preliminary behavioral data in R

(Manuscript in preparation)