Using brain stimulation to treat anorexia nervosa
Identifying Networks Underlying Compulsivity in Anorexia Nervosa for Targeting With Neuromodulation
This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help young adults with anorexia nervosa gain weight and reduce their compulsive behaviors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Francisco, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06138782 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to explore the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in treating anorexia nervosa (AN) by targeting the right orbitofrontal cortex. It will enroll 20 outpatients aged 18-45 who meet the DSM-5 criteria for AN and are stable on psychotropic medications. Participants will receive five treatments of rTMS over 10 days, with assessments of clinical symptoms and network connectivity changes before and after treatment. The study seeks to determine if rTMS can lead to weight gain and reductions in compulsive symptoms associated with AN.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are outpatients aged 18-45 who meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and are stable on medications.
Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric or neurological disorders, or those with contraindications to TMS, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a novel treatment option for patients with anorexia nervosa, potentially improving their symptoms and overall health.
How similar studies have performed: While rTMS has shown success in treating OCD, its application for anorexia nervosa is novel and untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * outpatients * ages 18 - 45 for Aim 2 * meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for AN * stable on chronic psychotropic medications for 4 weeks prior to the study and agreeable to continue throughout the study * participants may continue to take medications and record daily usage throughout the study * capacity to provide informed consent * ability to tolerate clinical study procedures * successfully complete the screening forms without any contraindications Exclusion Criteria: * Psychiatric: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, prior psychosurgery, prior electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) * Neurologic: severe neurocognitive disorder, seizure disorder, certain structural brain lesions (e.g., intracranial mass lesions, hydrocephalus, sequelae of meningitis) * TMS contraindications: implanted device; presence of metal in the head, including eyes and ears (excluding dental implants); certain tics; medications or systemic illness that predispose seizure risk * Subjects with an unstable physical, systemic, or metabolic disorder (e.g., unstable hypertension) * Females who are pregnant or nursing * Inability to complete the research study
Where this trial is running
San Francisco, California
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andrew M Lee, MD, PhD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Andrew M Lee, MD, PhD
- Email: AndrewMoses.Lee@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 415-476-7000
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.