Investigating food aversion in anorexia nervosa patients
Solving EPHX2 and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Interactions in Anorexia Nervosa
This study is testing how people with anorexia nervosa react to food compared to healthy individuals to better understand their food aversions and improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (La Jolla, California and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT03100656 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study employs a meal-challenge protocol to evaluate how patients with anorexia nervosa metabolize food differently compared to healthy controls. It aims to understand the heritable and biochemical factors that influence food aversion and psychopathology in anorexia nervosa. By utilizing a multi-omics biomarker system, the research seeks to uncover the interactions between genetic predispositions and dietary factors, ultimately aiming to inform more effective treatment strategies for this serious disorder.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who meet specific BMI criteria and healthy controls without psychiatric illnesses.
Not a fit: Patients with organic brain syndrome, schizophrenia, untreated thyroid disease, or those who are pregnant or lactating may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with anorexia nervosa by understanding the underlying metabolic and genetic factors influencing their condition.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring metabolic factors in anorexia nervosa, this multi-omics approach is relatively novel and untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Ill AN subjects will meet current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) diagnosis of AN, body mass index (BMI) between 11 kg/m² and 17.5 kg/m², or BMI \> 17.5 kg/m² with active eating disorder symptoms. * Recovered AN must meet the following criteria at time of study entry: 1) Current or past DSM V diagnosis of AN; 2) BMI between 18.5 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2; 3) Having maintained a BMI of \>18.5 for at least one year. * Control must be healthy adolescent or woman negative on our screen for AN, other Axis I psychiatric illnesses, and having maintained a BMI of between 18.5-30 kg/m² since the age of 18. Exclusion Criteria: * Exclusion criteria for AN and control subjects include: Organic brain syndrome, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, untreated thyroid disease, renal disease, hepatic disease, and the regular use of fish-oil containing supplements within the last three months of the study. All pregnant and lactating individuals will be excluded.
Where this trial is running
La Jolla, California and 1 other locations
- UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute — La Jolla, California, United States (Recruiting)
- Program for Eating Disorders, Toronto General Hospital — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pei-an (Betty) Shih, MPM, PhD — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pei-an (Betty) Shih, MPM, PhD
- Email: eatingdisorderresearch@ucsd.edu
- Phone: (858) 534-0828
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.