# Neural response to food stimuli: fMRI changes following cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $46,430

## Abstract

Abstract of the Funded/Parent Project
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eating disorder (BED) is a debilitating condition that is strongly associated with obesity and is the most
eating disorder in the US. Little is known about mechanisms underlying BED, hampering
of more efficacious treatment approaches. In particular, few studies have examined neural
related to BED, and how treatment effects neural activity. Building upon Dr. Ariana Chao's
research and training experiences, this K23 application prepares the candidate to become an
patient-oriented nurse researcher. Her long-term goal is to contribute to efforts to reduce the
epidemic by investigating biobehavioral pathways associated with BED and obesity, and developing
targeted and innovative interventions for prevention and treatment. In the short-term, the current
will allow Dr. Chao to obtain new knowledge and skills through a seminars, (Mentor: Richmond
set of formal courses, workshops and experiential learning guided by an accomplished,
mentorship team Dr. Thomas Wadden; Co-Mentors: Dr. Ruben Gur and Dr. Carlos Grilo;
Dr. Therese and Dr. Russell Shinohara). In addition, Dr. Chao will a conduct a randomized
trial (RCT) assessing the impact of CBT on neural responses to binge eating stimuli. Females who
a BMI > 25kg/m 2 and BED will be randomized to either a 16-week, one-on-one CBT intervention (n=20) or a
control (WL; n=20). Both groups will have blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic
imaging (fMRI) scans at baseline and after the 16-week intervention. During the scans, participants
complete two tasks: one to assess inhibition to food (i.e., food-specific stop signal task (SST)) and one to
r eward response to recall of binge foods (i.e., script-driven imagery). The primary aims f the study
to: 1) compare differences between the CBT and WL groups at week 16 i n changes in BOLD fMRI
to food-specific SST; 2) compare differences between the CBT and WL groups at week 16 in
i n BOLD fMRI response to script-driven imagery of binge foods; and 3) determine whether pre-
neural activation on the SST and script-driven imagery task predict differences between CBT
and non-responders >1 binge eating episode in the past 28 days). Our exploratory aim is to: 4)
the associations between pre- to post- treatment behavioral changes in r eported binge eating episodes
reduction and categorica l response), in reward-based eating drive, and in dietary inhibition and pre-
post-treatment neural changes on the SST and script-driven imagery task. This study will provide an
foreground to improve the precision of prevention and treatment strategies for BED and obesity. The
and training plans are responsive to the National Institute of Nursing Research's goals of integrat...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10142595
- **Project number:** 3K23NR017209-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** ARIANA MARIE CHAO
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $46,430
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-06-17 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10142595

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10142595, Neural response to food stimuli: fMRI changes following cognitive behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder (3K23NR017209-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10142595. Licensed CC0.

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