Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( 🔒 ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Need Help

An Examination of Computational Learning Mechanisms Underlying Aberrant Food Approach in Youth with ARFID

Award Number: K23MH138754
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/04/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

An Examination of Computational Learning Mechanisms Underlying Aberrant Food Approach in Youth with ARFID - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The K23 application proposes to examine learning and neurocognitive mechanisms underlying food approach in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) using computational methods and will position the applicant, Marita Cooper, Ph.D., to transition to research independence with expertise using computational modeling to examine mechanisms of restrictive eating disorders (ED) in youth. ARFID is the most prevalent ED in childhood, with sequelae including malnutrition, delayed growth, cardiac complications, and death. Early data suggest youth with ARFID exhibit executive functioning deficits, including weak central coherence and poor response inhibition. These data underly the hypothesis that youth with ARFID may be slow to learn food approach, impacting food intake, and requiring more exposure to novel foods for learning to occur. Knowledge of neurocognition and learning in ARFID is in its infancy, yet computational modeling offers an innovative approach to probe underlying processes and identify target mechanisms related to aberrant food approach. Two approaches with utility in other EDs, active inference and reinforcement learning, have not been applied to ARFID. The study will examine learning mechanisms and neurocognition of aberrant food approach in ARFID. We will recruit 99 youth (66 with ARFID, 33 controls) ages 8-18, matched on age and sex. Participants will complete a three-armed bandit task, assessing learning mechanisms (via food and neutral stimuli), and a meal-based buffet task assessing food approach (macronutrient and caloric intake). We will assess neurocognition, ED symptoms, and approach/ avoidance. Aim 1 hypothesizes that youth with ARFID will exhibit poorer performance (under both neutral and food conditions) than healthy controls and that worse performance will relate to overall intake during the buffet task. Aim 2 follows participants naturalistically, repeating assessments at 6- and 12-month follow-up. We will examine whether baseline performance predicts improvement in ARFID symptoms at follow-up. Aim 3 will compare whether active inference or reinforcement learning models best fit participant learning behavior. The project will be an important major step in developing a data-driven model of ARFID, providing critical information about potential drivers of aberrant food approach. The proposed project will support expert mentorship and training for Dr. Cooper including 1) learning and neurocognitive development in youth; 2) conducting and managing longitudinal research in clinical samples; and 3) practical skills in computational modeling transferrable to future research. The resources of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania and an expert team of mentors (with expertise in mechanisms of ARFID/restrictive ED, development, clinical research, and computational modeling) provide an outstanding context to launch Dr. Cooper’s career. Project findings are consistent with the NIMH strategic goal to identify validated targets for intervention and will inform a competitive R01 application examining computational learning mechanisms in a transdiagnostic sample of youth with restrictive ED.


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 = $170,024 )
2026	2026	THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA	3401 CIVIC CENTER BLVD	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	5/7/2026	NEW	$170,024
														Subtotal = $170,024

Grand Total All Awards = $170,024

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

An Examination of Computational Learning Mechanisms Underlying Aberrant Food Approach in Youth with ARFID

Award Number: K23MH138754

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/04/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2031

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer