Anorexia nervosa, neuroimaging research, and the contextual salience of food cues: The food approach–avoidance conundrum. Issue 8 (30th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murray, Stuart B.; Strigo, Irina A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 51:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 822
• Page End: 825
• Publication Date: 2018-05-30
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- food approach -- food avoidance -- neuroimaging; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.22883
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterized by an avoidance and marked apprehension around food intake, yet paradoxically, those with AN often display approach behaviors to food, engaging in food shopping or preparation activities which are described as rewarding. This approach–avoidance conundrum is of much importance as neuroimaging studies continue to probe mechanisms relating to core AN psychopathology. This Idea Worth Researching discusses the notion that neuroimaging studies relying on food cue presentation paradigms may be methodologically flawed without specifying the contextual salience of the food cues presented in paradigms. The appraisal of food cues may diverge as a function of one's intent‐to‐eat, and thus, neuroimaging studies not specifying the contextual salience of food cues (i.e., intent‐to‐eat or not) may confound two distinctly different processes.