Reward Learning Through the Lens of RDoC: a Review of Theory, Assessment, and Empirical Findings in the Eating Disorders.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Reward-related processes may represent important transdiagnostic factors underlying eating pathology. Using the NIMH Research Domain Criteria as a guide, the current article reviews theories, behavioral and self-report assessments, and empirical findings related to reward learning in the eating disorders.


RECENT FINDINGS
Data from behavioral tasks suggest deficits in reinforcement learning, which may become more pronounced with increasing disorder severity and duration. Self-report data strongly implicate positive eating and thinness/restriction expectancies (an element of reward prediction error) in the onset and maintenance of eating pathology. Finally, self-report measures of habit strength demonstrate relationships with eating pathology and illness duration; however, behavioral task data do not support relationships between eating pathology and a propensity towards general habit development. Existing studies are limited, but provide preliminary support for the presence of abnormal reward learning in eating disorders. Continued research is needed to address identified gaps in the literature.
['Schaefer|Lauren M|LM|0000-0002-9907-7598', 'Steinglass|Joanna E|JE|']
D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders D006184:Habits D006801:Humans D007858:Learning D012201:Reward D057566:Self Report
Reward Eating disorders Reinforcement learning Expectancy Prediction error Habit