Neural correlates of craving in participants with pathological buying - an fMRI study using a cue-reactivity paradigm

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Katrin Starcke
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology ; Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry ; Human Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 215060034

The current project aims to measure brain reactions in persons with pathological buying (also referred to as shopping addiction). During fMRI-scanning they are exposed to shopping cues. Brain activations are compared to the reactions of healthy control participants and compared to neutral cues.A major aim is to find out whether persons with pathological buying show high brain reactions towards shopping cues. This would enable to conclude that pathological buying can be seen as a behavioral addiction: Numerous studies have shown that patients with substance addictions (e.g., alcohol) show high brain activations when confronted with pictures of alcohol. Results of the project could implicate that one could integrate therapeutic tools from addiction therapy when treating pathological buyers.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Matthias Brand; Professorin Dr. Anya Pedersen