Abstract:

Over the past three decades, the number of eating disorders in China has increased sharply, and the growth rate ranks among the highest in the world, and has now emerged as the country with the highest number of deaths due to eating disorders globally. In particular, the rapid economic development, widespread dissemination of social media, and suboptimal intervention efficacy have collectively exacerbated eating disorders in China. Effectively preventing eating disorders has thus become an urgent and critical challenge facing the nation. Using the reward-inhibition dual-system interaction as a breakthrough, this project follows a progressive research framework (i.e., structural characteristics, processing mechanisms, and robust predictors) to investigate the crucial neural mechanisms of binge-type eating disorders.

The research consists of three studies. Firstly, the novel multi-feature morphometric similarity network technique will be employed to reveal the role of underlying structural covariance between reward and inhibitory control networks in binge-type eating disorders. Secondly, based on the bipartite interaction model of dietary decision making, we will use the revised food reward response inhibition paradigms to examine how the brain’s reward (bottom-up) and inhibitory control (top-down) systems dynamically interact to contribute to binge-type eating disorders. The second study will investigate the impact of food reward cues on response inhibition in individuals with binge-type eating disorders by using the food reward go/no-go and food reward stop signal tasks, combined with multidimensional techniques including brain activation analysis, psychophysiological interaction analysis, and parametric empirical Bayesian dynamic causal modeling. The study focuses on characterizing the information flow properties between dual-system regions under conflict conditions (food reward no-go and food reward stop conditions), aiming to identify specific markers in the progression from binge eating symptoms to binge eating disorder (across healthy control, binge eater, and binge eating disorder groups). Finally, the prospective cohort study will be conducted to further identify the key neuromarkers that can effectively predict the onset and development of binge-type eating disorders. This project aims to construct a neural staging model from the perspective of dual-system interaction, which will deepen our understanding of the full dynamic range of neuromarkers from non-eating disorder to eating disorder conditions.

Investigating the occurrence and developmental patterns and mechanisms of binge-type eating disorders is of significant importance for the prevention and intervention of such disorders. In terms of theoretical value, this study examines the mechanisms underlying binge-type eating disorders from the perspective of the interaction between reward and inhibitory control systems. Firstly, it advances from single-system research to the simultaneous investigation of dual systems. By revealing the spatial information flow from the lateral prefrontal cortex to subcortical reward regions in individuals with binge-type eating disorders, it enriches and deepens the dual interaction model of dietary decision-making. Secondly, from a developmental perspective, it provides partial empirical support for the triple interaction model of binge eating disorder, demonstrating that adults with binge eating disorder exhibit core neural features consistent with children and adolescents: dysregulated structural covariance and functional interaction between the brain's reward and inhibitory control systems. Thirdly, by tracing the progression from health to symptom emergence and ultimately to binge-type eating disorders, it explores specific markers in the development of early symptoms into eating disorders, aiming to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying binge-type eating disorders and to provide evidence for the preliminary establishment of a neural staging model. In terms of practical value, this study explores the interactive mechanisms of key neural circuits, which will provide novel insights into the precise identification, early prevention and targeted intervention of binge-type eating disorders. It holds substantial practical significance for reducing problematic eating behaviors, alleviating eating disorders, and promoting physical and mental health.

Key words: reactive control, neural mechanism, food reward, inhibitory control, binge-type eating disorders