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Pinson CK, Frank GKW. Why Don't You Just Eat? Neuroscience and the Enigma of Eating Disorders. FOCUS (AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING) 2024; 22:328-332. [PMID: 38988457 PMCID: PMC11231469 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20240006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses that are associated with high mortality. Research has identified environmental, psychological, and biological risk factors that could contribute to the psychopathology of eating disorders. Nevertheless, the patterns of self-starvation, binge eating, and purging behaviors are difficult to reconcile with the typical mechanisms that regulate appetite, hunger, and satiety. Here, the authors present a neuroscience and human brain imaging-based model to help explain the detrimental and often persistent behavioral patterns seen in individuals with eating disorders and why it is so difficult to overcome them. This model incorporates individual motivations to change eating, fear conditioning, biological adaptations of the brain and body, and the development of a vicious cycle that drives the individual to perpetuate those behaviors. This knowledge helps to explain these illnesses to patients and their families, and to develop more effective treatments, including biological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire K Pinson
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California (Pinson); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, UCSD Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, and Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California (Frank)
| | - Guido K W Frank
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, California (Pinson); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, UCSD Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, and Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California (Frank)
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Steinglass JE, Fei W, Foerde K, Touzeau C, Ruggiero J, Lloyd C, Attia E, Wang Y, Walsh BT. Change in food choice during acute treatment and the effect on longer-term outcome in patients with anorexia nervosa. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1133-1141. [PMID: 37781904 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restriction of food intake is a central pathological feature of anorexia nervosa (AN). Maladaptive eating behavior and, specifically, limited intake of calorie-dense foods are resistant to change and contribute to poor long-term outcomes. This study is a preliminary examination of whether change in food choices during inpatient treatment is related to longer-term clinical course. METHODS Individuals with AN completed a computerized Food Choice Task at the beginning and end of inpatient treatment to determine changes in high-fat and self-controlled food choices. Linear regression and longitudinal analyses tested whether change in task behavior predicted short-term outcome (body mass index [BMI] at discharge) and longer-term outcome (BMI and eating disorder psychopathology). RESULTS Among 88 patients with AN, BMI improved significantly with hospital treatment (p < 0.001), but Food Choice Task outcomes did not change significantly. Change in high-fat and self-controlled choices was not associated with BMI at discharge (r = 0.13, p = 0.22 and r = 0.10, p = 0.39, respectively). An increase in the proportion of high-fat foods selected (β = 0.91, p = 0.02) and a decrease in the use of self-control (β = -1.50, p = 0.001) predicted less decline in BMI over 3 years after discharge. CONCLUSIONS Short-term treatment is associated with improvement in BMI but with no significant change, on average, in choices made in a task known to predict actual eating. However, the degree to which individuals increased high-fat choices during treatment and decreased the use of self-control over food choice were associated with reduced weight loss over the following 3 years, underscoring the need to focus on changing eating behavior in treatment of AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna E Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenbo Fei
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karin Foerde
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Touzeau
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julia Ruggiero
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caitlin Lloyd
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Evelyn Attia
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuanjia Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - B Timothy Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Jablonski M, Schebendach J, Walsh BT, Steinglass JE. Eating behavior in atypical anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 2024; 57:780-784. [PMID: 36584139 PMCID: PMC10310879 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Atypical anorexia nervosa (AN) has been increasingly identified in the community and in clinical settings. Initial studies indicate that psychological symptoms are similar or more severe among patients with atypical AN, as compared with AN. This study examined whether eating behavior differed among patients with AN (n = 98), patients with atypical AN (n = 18), and healthy controls (HC, n = 75). METHOD Adults and adolescents chose what to eat from a standardized, laboratory-based multi-item meal. Total intake, macronutrient composition, diet variety, and energy density were compared between groups. RESULTS Both AN and atypical AN severely restricted caloric intake as compared with HC (431 ± 396 kcal and 340 ± 338 kcal vs. 879 ± 350 kcal, F2,188 = 35.4, p < .001). Individuals with AN and atypical AN did not differ in the mean intake of total calories or percentage of calories from fat (15.2 ± 25.2% vs. 11.5 ± 16.9%). DISCUSSION This study demonstrates that individuals with atypical AN are at least as restrictive in their food intake as individuals with AN, and the restriction of dietary fat is particularly notable. Examination of eating behavior in a larger sample would be useful to replicate these findings. The current study highlights the need to understand maladaptive eating behavior in atypical AN in order to develop appropriate treatment recommendations. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Atypical anorexia nervosa is emerging as a prevalent eating disorder in community and clinical populations. The findings that patients with atypical anorexia nervosa limit calorie and fat intake in a pattern similar to that of patients with anorexia nervosa highlights the need for research to identify appropriate treatment strategies for normalization of eating patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Jablonski
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Janet Schebendach
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - B Timothy Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joanna E Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
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Cooper M, Mears C, Heckert K, Orloff N, Peebles R, Timko CA. The buffet challenge: a behavioral assessment of eating behavior in adolescents with an eating disorder. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:8. [PMID: 38238787 PMCID: PMC10797715 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-00968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eating disorders are characterized by disturbances in nutritional intake and abnormal mealtime behaviors. Laboratory eating paradigms offer a unique opportunity to accurately measure dietary intake and eating behaviors, however, these studies have predominantly occurred in adults. This paper describes the development and preliminary psychometric examination of the Buffet Challenge, a laboratory-based meal task for youths with an eating disorder. METHOD We recruited and assessed 56 participants as part of a randomized controlled trial of Family-Based Treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Adolescents completed the Buffet Challenge at baseline, midway through treatment (~ week 16 of a 6 months course), and end of treatment. Participants and their parents also reported eating disorder symptomatology and treatment related variables of interest were recorded. RESULTS All adolescents were willing to complete the Buffet Challenge at all time points, although one refused to give up their cellphone, and there were no significant adverse events recorded. Preliminary results are presented. CONCLUSIONS Our initial pilot of this task in adolescents with anorexia nervosa demonstrates its acceptability, although investigation of our hypotheses was hindered by significant missing data due to COVID-related research shutdowns. Future studies should replicate procedures in a larger sample to ensure analyses are adequately powered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Cooper
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connor Mears
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA, USA
| | - Kerri Heckert
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Natalia Orloff
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Equip Health, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Rebecka Peebles
- The Craig Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Monte Nido & Affiliates, Philadelphia, USA
| | - C Alix Timko
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, 2716 South Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19146, USA.
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Conceição ISR, Garcia-Burgos D, de Macêdo PFC, Nepomuceno CMM, Pereira EM, Cunha CDM, Ribeiro CDF, de Santana MLP. Habits and Persistent Food Restriction in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa: A Scoping Review. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:883. [PMID: 37998630 PMCID: PMC10669471 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The aetiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) presents a puzzle for researchers. Recent research has sought to understand the behavioural and neural mechanisms of these patients' persistent choice of calorie restriction. This scoping review aims to map the literature on the contribution of habit-based learning to food restriction in AN. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were adopted. The search strategy was applied to seven databases and to grey literature. A total of 35 studies were included in this review. The results indicate that the habit-based learning model has gained substantial attention in current research, employing neuroimaging methods, scales, and behavioural techniques. Food choices were strongly associated with dorsal striatum activity, and habitual food restriction based on the self-report restriction index was associated with clinical impairment in people chronically ill with restricting AN. High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) and Regulating Emotions and Changing Habits (REaCH) have emerged as potential treatments. Future research should employ longitudinal studies to investigate the time required for habit-based learning and analyse how developmental status, such as adolescence, influences the role of habits in the progression and severity of diet-related illnesses. Ultimately, seeking effective strategies to modify persistent dietary restrictions controlled by habits remains essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismara Santos Rocha Conceição
- Graduate Program in Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-907, Brazil; (I.S.R.C.); (P.F.C.d.M.)
| | - David Garcia-Burgos
- Department of Psychobiology, The “Federico Olóriz” Institute of Neurosciences, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Patrícia Fortes Cavalcanti de Macêdo
- Graduate Program in Food, Nutrition and Health, School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-907, Brazil; (I.S.R.C.); (P.F.C.d.M.)
| | | | | | - Carla de Magalhães Cunha
- School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-907, Brazil; (C.d.M.C.); (C.D.F.R.)
| | - Camila Duarte Ferreira Ribeiro
- School of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40110-907, Brazil; (C.d.M.C.); (C.D.F.R.)
- Graduate Program in Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
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Herrero L, McCrea CE. Hunger modulates perceptions of food health but not taste in restricted eaters. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1212778. [PMID: 37484091 PMCID: PMC10357121 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1212778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Food taste and health perceptions are of particular interest for their implications on food choice. Most in vivo food choice studies experimentally control for hunger via a set preload or fast. Methods To explore how hunger may interact with these perceptions to impact food decisions, we compared taste and health perceptions of sweet and savory obesogenic food items among hungry or satiated participants with varying restrained eating tendencies. Results In our sample of 232 adults (M BMI = 25.9; M age = 36.4 yrs), highly palatable foods were perceived as tasty but unhealthy. Tastiness ratings were high, consistent across restrained eating groups, and unassociated with hunger. Perceptions of health, however, were impacted by the interaction of restrained eating group and hunger. Amongst hungry participants only, a graded association between restrained eating group and perceptions of health emerged for both food types. Specifically, hungry and highly restrained eaters viewed sweet foods as 2.8x healthier and savory foods as 2.1x healthier than their satiated counterparts. Discussion Our data suggest that hunger predicts differential health perceptions, but not tastiness ratings, among restrained eaters. We argue that the generalization of food perception data-especially among different eater types-may be limited if the continuum of hunger level is experimentally constrained. Therefore, hunger is a critical dynamic to consider in explorations of food perceptions and eating behavior in restrained eaters.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anorexia nervosa is a frequent eating disorder that affects predominantly young women and may take a severe and chronically worsening course of disease contributing to its high mortality rate. Although a multitude of treatment options exist, this disease still bears a high relapse rate. In light of these facts, an improvement of existing and development of new treatment targets and options is warranted. AREAS COVERED The present review article covers recent developments in psychotherapy associated with the respective neuropsychological and brain alterations as well as highlights current and future pharmacotherapeutic options. EXPERT OPINION Several encouraging developments in the field of psychotherapy such as interventions targeting neurocognitive profiles or addressing reward processing, brain stimulation as well as pharmacological modulation of hormones, namely leptin, oxytocin, ghrelin and nesfatin-1 signaling might be - most likely as part of a multimodal treatment approach - efficacious in order to improve treatment of patients with anorexia nervosa, especially those with a severe course of disease as well as comorbidities. As anorexia nervosa represents a complex and severe mental disorder, it seems most likely that a combination and integration of different evidence-based treatment approaches and settings will contribute to an improved prognosis of this eating disorder. This should be further explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stengel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Excellence in Eating Disorders Tübingen (KOMET)
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Giel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Center for Excellence in Eating Disorders Tübingen (KOMET)
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Zhang X, Wen K, Han J, Chen H. The Neural Processes in Food Decision-making and their Effect on Daily Diet Management in Successful and Unsuccessful Restrained Eaters. Neuroscience 2023; 517:1-17. [PMID: 36764599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the neural mechanisms underlying food decision making in unsuccessful restrained eaters (US-REs) and successful restrained eaters (S-REs). During a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan, participants were required to choose between pairs of high- and low-calorie foods under the following conditions: the congruent condition (choose between high- and low-calorie foods with the same level of tastiness) and incongruent condition (choose between high-calorie foods tastier than the corresponding low-calorie foods). Subsequently, the participants' diets were monitored for one week. The behavioral results showed that US-REs (n = 28) chose more high-calorie foods than S-REs (n = 26); in contrast, S-REs spent more time in choosing for the incongruent than the congruent condition. The fMRI results found that US-REs exhibited more activity in reward regions (caudate and thalamus) than S-REs in the congruent condition. In the incongruent condition, S-REs showed stronger functional connectivity between the conflict-monitoring region (anterior cingulate cortex) and inhibitory-control regions (inferior frontal gyrus [IFG] and medial frontal gyrus) than US-REs. In both the conditions, increased activation of the insula, putamen, middle frontal gyrus, and IFG could predict increased food intake among US-REs in the following week. Furthermore, in both the conditions, increased IFG activation could predict decreased food cravings among S-REs during the following week. Our results suggest that US-REs have a strong reward response to food. Compared to US-REs, S-REs are more guided more by the goal of weight control, and exhibit strong functional connections between the conflict-monitoring and inhibitory-control regions. Therefore, eating enjoyment and weight-control goals influence restrained eating in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemeng Zhang
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China; Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ke Wen
- Research Center for Brain and Cognitive Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinfeng Han
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Chen
- School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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Steinglass JE, Attia E, Glasofer DR, Wang Y, Ruggiero J, Walsh BT, Thomas JG. Optimizing relapse prevention and changing habits (REACH+) in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 2022; 55:851-857. [PMID: 35488866 PMCID: PMC9167790 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Relapse rates in anorexia nervosa (AN) are high, even after full weight restoration. This study aims to develop a relapse prevention treatment that specifically addresses persistent maladaptive behaviors (habits). Relapse Prevention and Changing Habits (REACH+) aims to support patients in developing routines that promote weight maintenance, encourage health, and challenge habits that perpetuate illness. The clinical trial design uses the Multiphase Optimization STrategy (MOST) framework to efficiently identify which components of treatment contribute to positive outcomes. METHODS Participants will be 60 adults with AN who have achieved weight restoration in an inpatient setting. Treatment will consist of 6 months of outpatient telehealth sessions. REACH+ consists of behavior, cognitive, and motivation components, as well as food monitoring and a skill consolidation phase. A specialized online platform extends therapy between sessions. Participants will be randomly assigned to different versions of each component in a fractional factorial design. Outcomes will focus on maintenance of remission, measured by rate of weight loss and end-of-trial status. Interventions that contribute to remission will be included in an optimized treatment package, suitable for a large-scale clinical trial of relapse prevention in AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna E. Steinglass
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA,Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Evelyn Attia
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA,Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Deborah R. Glasofer
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA,Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuanjia Wang
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia Ruggiero
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - B. Timothy Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA,Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
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Xue AM, Foerde K, Walsh BT, Steinglass JE, Shohamy D, Bakkour A. Neural Representations of Food-Related Attributes in the Human Orbitofrontal Cortex during Choice Deliberation in Anorexia Nervosa. J Neurosci 2022; 42:109-120. [PMID: 34759030 PMCID: PMC8741166 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0958-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Decisions about what to eat recruit the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and involve the evaluation of food-related attributes such as taste and health. These attributes are used differently by healthy individuals and patients with disordered eating behavior, but it is unclear whether these attributes are decodable from activity in the OFC in both groups and whether neural representations of these attributes are differentially related to decisions about food. We used fMRI combined with behavioral tasks to investigate the representation of taste and health attributes in the human OFC and the role of these representations in food choices in healthy women and women with anorexia nervosa (AN). We found that subjective ratings of tastiness and healthiness could be decoded from patterns of activity in the OFC in both groups. However, health-related patterns of activity in the OFC were more related to the magnitude of choice preferences among patients with AN than healthy individuals. These findings suggest that maladaptive decision-making in AN is associated with more consideration of health information represented by the OFC during deliberation about what to eat.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT An open question about the OFC is whether it supports the evaluation of food-related attributes during deliberation about what to eat. We found that healthiness and tastiness information was decodable from patterns of neural activity in the OFC in both patients with AN and healthy controls. Critically, neural representations of health were more strongly related to choices in patients with AN, suggesting that maladaptive overconsideration of healthiness during deliberation about what to eat is related to activity in the OFC. More broadly, these results show that activity in the human OFC is associated with the evaluation of relevant attributes during value-based decision-making. These findings may also guide future research into the development of treatments for AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Xue
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, Brain, Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Karin Foerde
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
| | - B Timothy Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
| | - Joanna E Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York 10032
| | - Daphna Shohamy
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, Brain, Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
| | - Akram Bakkour
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, Brain, Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027
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Haynos AF, Widge AS, Anderson LM, Redish AD. Beyond Description and Deficits: How Computational Psychiatry Can Enhance an Understanding of Decision-Making in Anorexia Nervosa. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2022; 24:77-87. [PMID: 35076888 PMCID: PMC8934594 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-022-01320-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Despite decades of research, knowledge of the mechanisms maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN) remains incomplete and clearly effective treatments elusive. Novel theoretical frameworks are needed to advance mechanistic and treatment research for this disorder. Here, we argue the utility of engaging a novel lens that differs from existing perspectives in psychiatry. Specifically, we argue the necessity of expanding beyond two historically common perspectives: (1) the descriptive perspective: the tendency to define mechanisms on the basis of surface characteristics and (2) the deficit perspective: the tendency to search for mechanisms associated with under-functioning of decision-making abilities and related circuity, rather than problems of over-functioning, in psychiatric disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Computational psychiatry can provide a novel framework for understanding AN because this approach emphasizes the role of computational misalignments (rather than absolute deficits or excesses) between decision-making strategies and environmental demands as the key factors promoting psychiatric illnesses. Informed by this approach, we argue that AN can be understood as a disorder of excess goal pursuit, maintained by over-engagement, rather than disengagement, of executive functioning strategies and circuits. Emerging evidence suggests that this same computational imbalance may constitute an under-investigated phenotype presenting transdiagnostically across psychiatric disorders. A variety of computational models can be used to further elucidate excess goal pursuit in AN. Most traditional psychiatric treatments do not target excess goal pursuit or associated neurocognitive mechanisms. Thus, targeting at the level of computational dysfunction may provide a new avenue for enhancing treatment for AN and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann F. Haynos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN F 253, USA
| | - Alik S. Widge
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN F 253, USA
| | - Lisa M. Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, 2450 Riverside Ave, Minneapolis, MN F 253, USA
| | - A. David Redish
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, 6-145 Jackson Hall 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Muratore AF, Bershad M, Steinglass JE, Foerde KE, Gianini L, Broft A, Attia E. Use of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to probe the neural circuitry of food choice in anorexia nervosa: A proof-of-concept study. Int J Eat Disord 2021; 54:2031-2036. [PMID: 34415081 PMCID: PMC9126092 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is used to modulate neural systems and provides the opportunity for experimental tests of hypotheses regarding mechanisms underlying anorexia nervosa (AN). The present pilot study has investigated whether high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) to a region of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) might be associated with change in food selection among adult inpatients with AN. Ten women received one session of sham and one session of HF-rTMS targeting the right DLPFC while completing a computerized Food Choice Task. Compared to sham, HF-rTMS was associated with changes in food ratings and food choice: inpatients reported higher healthiness ratings of low- and high-fat foods and selected a significantly greater proportion of high-fat foods over a neutrally rated reference item while receiving HF-rTMS. Findings suggest that HF-rTMS to the right DLPFC was associated with a reduction of fat avoidance on a food choice task among inpatients with AN and provide additional support for the possibility that this region, and related neural circuits, may underlie restrictive food choice. Research using rTMS to experimentally test neural mechanisms is needed to elucidate the underpinnings of AN and supports the development of novel treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra F. Muratore
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mariya Bershad
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joanna E. Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karin E. Foerde
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Loren Gianini
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Allegra Broft
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Evelyn Attia
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA
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13
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Lloyd EC, Powell C, Schebendach J, Walsh BT, Posner J, Steinglass JE. Associations between mealtime anxiety and food intake in anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 2021; 54:1711-1716. [PMID: 34323297 PMCID: PMC8434846 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A salient disturbance in anorexia nervosa (AN) is the persistent restriction of food intake. Eating behavior in AN is thought to be influenced by anxiety. The current study probed associations between mealtime anxiety and food intake among individuals with AN and healthy comparison individuals (HC). METHOD Data were combined across three studies (total of 92 AN and 78 HC) for secondary data analysis. Participants completed a multiitem laboratory buffet meal and visual analogue scale assessments of pre-meal and post-meal anxiety. Linear regression models assessed the association between mealtime anxiety and calorie and fat intake at the meal, and whether associations differed by diagnostic group. RESULTS Among individuals with AN, pre-meal anxiety was significantly associated with reduced calorie intake and reduced consumption of calories from fat at the meal; these associations were not observed among HC. There was no evidence for an association between calorie/fat intake at the meal and post-meal anxiety in either group. DISCUSSION Treatments that target mealtime anxiety may improve eating and nourishment among individuals with AN. Interventions like exposure therapy that provide skills in overcoming mealtime anxiety might be enhanced by informing patients that post-meal anxiety is not related to intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Caitlin Lloyd
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chanel Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Janet Schebendach
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - B. Timothy Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jonathan Posner
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joanna E. Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, NY, USA
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14
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From Desire to Dread-A Neurocircuitry Based Model for Food Avoidance in Anorexia Nervosa. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10112228. [PMID: 34063884 PMCID: PMC8196668 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10112228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a severe psychiatric illness associated with food avoidance. Animal models from Berridge et al. over the past decade showed that environmental ambience, pleasant or fear inducing, can trigger either appetitive (desire) or avoidance (dread) behaviors in animals via frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, and hypothalamus. Those mechanisms could be relevant for understanding anorexia nervosa. However, models that translate animal research to explain the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa are sparse. This article reviews animal and human research to find evidence for whether this model can explain food avoidance behaviors in anorexia nervosa. Research on anorexia nervosa suggests fear conditioning to food, activation of the corticostriatal brain circuitry, sensitization of ventral striatal dopamine response, and alterations in hypothalamic function. The results support the applicability of the animal neurocircuitry derived model and provide directions to further study the pathophysiology that underlies anorexia nervosa.
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15
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Foerde K, Walsh BT, Dalack M, Daw N, Shohamy D, Steinglass JE. Changes in brain and behavior during food-based decision-making following treatment of anorexia nervosa. J Eat Disord 2021; 9:48. [PMID: 33865441 PMCID: PMC8052661 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-021-00402-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa is a severe illness with a high mortality rate, driven in large part by severe and persistent restriction of food intake. A critical challenge is to identify brain mechanisms associated with maladaptive eating behavior and whether they change with treatment. This study tested whether food choice-related caudate activation in anorexia nervosa changes with treatment. METHODS Healthy women (n = 29) and women hospitalized with anorexia nervosa (n = 24), ages 18 to 40 years, completed a Food Choice Task during fMRI scanning at two timepoints. Among patients, procedures occurred upon hospital admission (Time 1) and again after patients had gained to normal weight (Time 2). Healthy controls were tested twice at an interval group-matched to patients. Choice-related caudate activation was assessed at each timepoint, using parametric analyses in an a priori region of interest. RESULTS Among patients, the proportion of high-fat foods selected did not change over time (p's > 0.47), but decreased neural activity in the caudate after treatment was associated with increased selection of high-fat foods (r23 = - 0.43, p = 0.037). Choice-related caudate activation differed among women with anorexia nervosa vs healthy control women at Time 1 (healthy control: M = 0.15 ± 0.87, anorexia nervosa: M = 0.70 ± 1.1, t51 = - 2.05, p = 0.045), but not at Time 2 (healthy control: M = 0.18 ± 1.0, anorexia nervosa: M = 0.37 ± 0.99, t51 = - 0.694, p = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS Caudate activity was more strongly associated with decisions about food among individuals with anorexia nervosa relative to healthy comparison individuals prior to treatment, and decreases in caudate engagement among individuals with anorexia nervosa undergoing treatment were associated with increases in high-fat food choices. The findings underscore the need for treatment development that more successfully alters both eating behavior and the neural mechanisms that guide it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Foerde
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Psychiatry Department, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - B Timothy Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA.,Psychiatry Department, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Maya Dalack
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Nathaniel Daw
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | - Daphna Shohamy
- Psychology Department and Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute, Columbia University, 3227 Broadway, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Joanna E Steinglass
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Psychiatry Department, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 98, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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16
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Anorexia nervosa treatment trials: time for new approaches. Lancet Psychiatry 2021; 8:170-171. [PMID: 33600748 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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17
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Wonderlich JA, Bershad M, Steinglass JE. Exploring Neural Mechanisms Related to Cognitive Control, Reward, and Affect in Eating Disorders: A Narrative Review of FMRI Studies. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:2053-2062. [PMID: 34188475 PMCID: PMC8232881 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s282554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have contributed to our understanding of possible neural abnormalities among individuals with eating disorders. Many of these studies have focused on three domains: 1) cognitive control, 2) reward processing, and 3) affective processing. This review attempts to summarize the recent fMRI findings across these domains among the most well-characterized eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). Though the literature is a bit murky, a few major themes have emerged. Cognitive control systems are affected among individuals across eating disorder diagnoses, but effects seem least pronounced in AN. Specifically, individuals with all eating disorders appear to show decreased prefrontal activation during cognitive control, but there is less evidence in AN linking decreased prefrontal activation with behavior. There is some evidence that the reinforcing value of food is reduced in AN, but individuals with BN and BED show hyperactivation to rewarding food-related stimuli, suggesting the reinforcing value of food may be enhanced. However, more complex reward processing paradigms show that individuals with BN and BED exhibit hypoactivation to reward anticipation and provide mixed results with regards to reward receipt. There are fewer neuroimaging findings related to affective processing, yet behavioral findings suggest affective processing is important in understanding eating disorders. Though the extant literature is complicated, these studies represent a foundation from which to build and provide insight into potential neurobiological mechanisms that may contribute to the pathophysiology of eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Wonderlich
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariya Bershad
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joanna E Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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18
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Lloyd EC, Shehzad Z, Schebendach J, Bakkour A, Xue AM, Assaf NF, Jilani R, Walsh BT, Steinglass J, Foerde K. Food Folio by Columbia Center for Eating Disorders: A Freely Available Food Image Database. Front Psychol 2020; 11:585044. [PMID: 33424700 PMCID: PMC7785939 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.585044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Food images are useful stimuli for the study of cognitive processes as well as eating behavior. To enhance rigor and reproducibility in task-based research, it is advantageous to have stimulus sets that are publicly available and well characterized. Food Folio by Columbia Center for Eating Disorders is a publicly available set of 138 images of Western food items. The set was developed for the study of eating disorders, particularly for use in tasks that capture eating behavior characteristic of these illnesses. It contains foods that are typically eaten, as well as those typically avoided, by individuals with eating disorders. Each image has now been rated across 17 different attributes by a large general United States population sample via Amazon's Mechanical Turk (n = 1054). Ratings included subjective attributes (e.g., tastiness, healthiness, and favorable texture) as well as estimates of nutrient content (e.g., fat and carbohydrate). Each participant rated a subset of stimulus set food items (46 foods) on all 17 dimensions. Additional description of the image set is provided in terms of physical image information and accurate nutritional information. Correlations between subjective ratings were calculated and an exploratory factor analysis and exploratory cluster analysis completed. Outcomes of the factor analysis suggested foods may be described along three latent factors of healthiness, tastiness, and umami taste; the cluster analysis highlighted five distinct clusters of foods varying on these same dimensions. Descriptive outcomes indicated that the stimulus set includes a range of foods that vary along multiple dimensions and thus is likely to be useful in addressing various research questions surrounding eating behavior and cognition in healthy populations, as well as in those with eating disorders. The provision of comprehensive descriptive information allows for stimulus selection that is optimized for a given research question and promotes strong inference.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Caitlin Lloyd
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zarrar Shehzad
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Janet Schebendach
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Akram Bakkour
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Alice M Xue
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Rayman Jilani
- Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - B Timothy Walsh
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joanna Steinglass
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | - Karin Foerde
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
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