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Subjective Reward Response During Binge Eating Measured by High-Resolution Ecological Momentary Assessment

Award Number: F31MH140568
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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Subjective Reward Response During Binge Eating Measured by High-Resolution Ecological Momentary Assessment - Project Summary Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are characterized by binge-eating episodes in which an individual consumes a large amount of food and feels out of control while eating. These eating disorders affect approximately 21 million individuals in the United States alone and are associated with significant social, physical, and economic burdens. Understanding mechanisms underlying binge eating is crucial for improving treatments, which are currently ineffective for nearly 50% of patients. Binge eating typically involves the consumption of highly palatable (tasty) foods, and researchers hypothesize that heightened reward responses to food or food cues promote the development and maintenance of binge eating. Laboratory-based studies have demonstrated differences in reward anticipation (e.g., wanting, craving) among those with versus without binge eating, and naturalistic study designs support that elevations in ‘craving’ are associated with a greater likelihood of binge eating. However, lab-based findings on hedonic response to food (i.e., liking) are inconsistent. Lastly, little is known about reward processes that may occur during binge eating (e.g., subjective reward responses to food consumed) and whether such responses differ from reward during ‘normative’ eating. This knowledge may identify more precise risk states for binge-eating episodes and pinpoint more accurate mechanisms for intervention. Current methods using retrospective self-report data are vulnerable to recall biases and limit the field’s ability to test temporally dynamic models of binge eating. Moreover, minimal research has examined reward responding outside of laboratory settings (i.e., during ‘real-world’ binge-eating episodes). The proposed study will address these theoretical and methodological gaps by testing the feasibility of high-resolution ecological momentary assessment (HR-EMA) during binge-eating episodes and relating these data to laboratory-based measures of physiological and behavioral reward response. The project’s specific aims include 1) establishing acceptability and feasibility of high frequency sampling during ‘real-world’ binge-eating episodes; 2) examining trajectories of reward response during binge episodes; and 3) examining associations between subjective reward responses during binge-eating episodes and in-laboratory measures of reward processing. Linear mixed models and linear regressions will be conducted to analyze these data. The objectives of the proposed study are in line with the NIMH’s Strategic Plan by seeking to understand binge-eating symptoms through the integration of biological, behavioral, and cognitive markers of basic processes. In doing so, these data have the potential to improve understanding of binge eating and inform novel treatment development (e.g., just-in-time ambulatory interventions). The proposed grant will take place at the University of Western Ontario, under the sponsorship of Dr. Bodell and the co-sponsorship of Dr. Racine at McGill University. The applicant (Schmidt) will receive training in reward-based theories of addictions (Bodell & Fridberg), EMA methods and analyses (Fridberg & Wright), and facial electromyography (Racine).


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $38,104 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO	1393 WESTERN ROAD	LONDON	ON			CAN	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	6/10/2026	NEW	$38,104
														Subtotal = $38,104

Grand Total All Awards = $38,104

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Subjective Reward Response During Binge Eating Measured by High-Resolution Ecological Momentary Assessment

Award Number: F31MH140568

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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