Neurostimulation for managing loss of control eating in obese patients

Responsive Neurostimulation For Loss Of Control Eating

This study is testing a new device that uses brain stimulation to help people with obesity who have trouble controlling their eating, especially those who haven't had success with other weight loss methods.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 6 (estimated)
• Ages: 22 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Stanford, California and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT03868670 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the safety and feasibility of the NeuroPace RNS® System, a novel device designed for responsive neurostimulation targeting the nucleus accumbens to help individuals with treatment-refractory obesity who struggle with loss of control eating. The study focuses on patients who have previously failed other weight loss interventions, including pharmacological treatments and bariatric surgeries. By assessing device function and potential efficacy, the trial aims to provide insights into a new therapeutic approach for this challenging condition.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with a BMI of 40-60 kg/m2 who have experienced loss of control eating and have failed multiple weight loss interventions.

Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone prior weight loss surgeries or those with a BMI outside the specified range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could offer a new treatment option for patients with severe obesity who have not benefited from traditional weight loss methods.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of responsive neurostimulation is innovative, similar studies targeting obesity and eating disorders have shown promise, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* BMI 40-60 kg/m2
* Failure of at least one pharmacological agent intended for weight loss or binge eating disorder (minimum trial of 6 months) (select glucagon-like-peptide 1 \[GLP-1\] receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, which induce clinically meaningful weight loss \[i.e., \>2% baseline weight\], qualify as agents intended for weight loss, as do glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide \[GIP\]/GLP-1 agonists)
* Failure of at least one form of behavioral therapy, such as weight loss therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (minimum trial of 6 months)
* Failure of gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy surgery
* Assessment by the study site's bariatric surgeon to rule out technical explanations for suboptimal outcome with an upper GI series within 6 months prior to consent (i.e. a pre-study referral assessment) or prior to surgery during the screening phase.
* Presence of LOC over eating (≥4 LOC episodes per week or ≥16 episodes per month (i.e. 28 days)), as reported on the ELOCS or the EDE interview
* Any medical (including psychiatric) conditions must be monitored actively by appropriate discipline and stable for the past 6 months. Related therapies or medications should be held stable for the study duration.
* Surgical suitability confirmed by a psychiatric examination.
* Subject is able to attend all scheduled clinic appointments on their own or with a caregiver.
* Subject is willing and able to complete signaled EMA assessments.
* Adequate social support (e.g. stable housing, identified family member or close friend as emergency contact) without acute or subacute psychosocial stressors based on screening interview
* Premenopausal women must agree to use acceptable methods of birth control.
* Participants provide voluntary, decisionally capable, and appropriately informed consent. - Subject is able to comply w/ all testing and follow-up requirements defined by the study protocol.
* Participant has no immediate plan for relocation beyond 6 hours of the study site.
* Proficiency with the English language.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subject has an implanted medical device that delivers electrical energy to the brain.
* Subject has an implantable cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or neurostimulator.
* Subject requires diathermy treatments.
* Subject requires transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or electroconvulsive therapy.
* Subject is likely to require repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after implant of the RNS Neurostimulator and Leads.
* Subject is unable to fit into Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner (500lb upper weight limit for CT scanner).
* Subject is pregnant or intends to become pregnant during the course of the study.
* Subject is participating in a therapeutic investigational drug or device study.
* Subject has medical contraindications for surgery including but not limited to severe cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, liver, hematological disease, severe coagulopathy, or an acute infectious process.
* Subject has evidence of neurological disorders, e.g. seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, severe acquired brain injury, severe brain atrophy, subdural hematoma, history of hemorrhagic stroke, or other clinically relevant abnormality on preoperative imaging.
* Subject has a current physical or medical condition that could affect eating behavior (e.g., cancer, pregnancy).
* Subject is actively using medication known to affect eating (e.g., appetite suppressants).
* Subject has a clinically significant or unstable psychiatric condition based on psychiatric screening interview.
* Subject has a clinical diagnosis (past or present) of severe anxiety disorder, severe major depression, psychosis, or anorexia based on diagnostic interview.
* Subject has any lifetime history of suicide attempt, intent or engagement in other forms of self-harm behaviors (e.g. cutting).
* Subject has a history of drug abuse or dependence, including nicotine and alcohol, within the preceding 24 months.
* Subject has current use of alcohol at the rate of \> 14 drinks per week or \> 4 drinks per occasion or any diagnosis of substance abuse/dependence disorder based on DSM-5.
* There is evidence of incipient dementia or cognitive impairment on Neuropsychological assessment by any score on memory, executive functioning, intellectual functioning, language, or visuospatial domains falling 2SD below the normative mean.
* There is evidence of comprehension difficulties (Token Test \<36).
* Subject is unable to provide informed consent to treatment.
* Obesity is secondary to another medical condition, a medication side effect, or a genetic syndrome.
* Subject is a candidate for revision of their bariatric surgery due to anatomical or medical co-morbidities that could be addressed. Of note, revision of a sleeve gastrectomy to a gastric bypass for to reverse weight regain alone is less frequently considered a worthwhile effort as the average weight loss of such a revision is about a 10% weight loss. Thus, patients who have a sleeve and meet the Reinhold classification will be included in this study.

Where this trial is running

Stanford, California and 1 other locations

• Stanford University — Stanford, California, United States (ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING)
• University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Nida Firdous, CRC

Conditions: Loss of Control Eating, Obesity, Morbid