Cognitive and Reward Influences on Binge Eating
This is a research study designed to assess how brain processes, thoughts, and behaviors contribute to binge eating. This study involves 2 study visits that take place in Fargo, ND, as well as a 3rd study visit after 6 months, which can occur in-person or remotely. In addition, the study includes a 15-day period in which you respond to brief surveys sent to your smartphone.
If you appear to meet our inclusion criteria based upon today’s screening, you will be scheduled for the first study visit at our Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research building. At the visit, you will be given additional information about the study, and if you decide to participate, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Next, we determine your full eligibility by completing assessments of height and weight, and a series of clinical interviews. If you meet final eligibility for the study, you will also be asked to complete a series of questionnaires onsite. All of this is expected to take about 3 hours.
The second study visit will also take place at the Sanford Center for Biobehavioral Research. During this visit, you will be asked to complete two simple computer tasks that require you to press a button when an image appears on the screen. By performing well on these tasks, you can earn a range of snack foods. Notably, your brain activity will be recorded via electroencephalography (EEG) while you complete this computer task. EEG is a safe and non-invasive procedure that involves wearing a cap on your head containing small electrodes, which record the activity that is naturally produced by your brain. This visit is expected to take about 3 hours.
After the second visit, we will ask you to complete 15 days of surveys using a smartphone as you go about your daily life. We will message you 6 times each day for 14 days and ask you to complete surveys about your experiences and behaviors. We will also ask you to initiate a very brief survey after each eating episode. The total amount of time involved in completing these surveys is 2-3 minutes per survey (about 20 minutes per day). You will then receive one final 3-minute survey on the 15th day.
At the third study visit, which will take place in-person or remotely, you will be asked to complete a clinical interview and series of questionnaires. This visit is expected to take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
For participation in this research project, you will receive up to $600, depending on how much of the study you complete.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please complete the following questions so we can determine your eligibility. Some of these questions are personal in nature; however, everything we discuss is confidential and will only be shared with research staff directly involved with this study.