Binge Eating Disorder

The GENESIS clinical study aims to map HLA genetic variation in the Greek population and evaluate possible correlations with selected underlying diseases. It is a multicenter, prospective, non-interventional clinical study targeting 12,000 subjects over an anticipated duration of 36 months, with the goal of creating a pilot HLA map for medical research and possible clinical applications. Each subject will complete one visit at a participating site and provide demographic information, including date of birth, gender, race, ancestry, height, and weight, as well as information about smoking or vaping, alcohol consumption, arterial blood pressure, diagnosed diseases, and current treatments. Recent clinical laboratory results from up to 12 months before sample collection may also be collected when available, including blood count, metabolic, liver enzyme, and biochemical parameters. Two buccal swabs will be collected from each subject for DNA extraction and HLA genotyping analysis. Selected DNA samples will also undergo low-pass whole genome sequencing to further investigate associations between the HLA region and autoimmune diseases. After the analysis is completed, an individualized ancestry report will be securely available to study subjects if they elect to access it.

Researchers are evaluating the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of a personalized digital treatment designed for adolescents with eating disorders aged 15 to 18 years. The study aims to understand who benefits from this digital approach, how acceptable and credible it is to participants, and the cost-effectiveness of delivering such treatment in routine child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient care. The intervention includes a therapist-guided digital program consisting of 8 modules delivered over 10 weeks, with weekly therapist contact. Participants will complete self-report questionnaires before, during, and after the treatment, as well as at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. The study also involves semi-structured phone interviews with some participants to explore their experiences with the treatment. Participants will be asked to complete various validated questionnaires assessing eating disorder symptoms, general psychopathology, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction throughout the study period. Adherence to the treatment and participant experiences will be monitored, along with health and social outcomes such as school attendance and emotional regulation. Data collection occurs online, and the total follow-up extends to six months after treatment completion.

Researchers are studying Severe and Enduring Eating Disorders SEED, which are long-lasting eating disorders affecting adolescents and adults. The study aims to understand the clinical, psychological, and biological factors that contribute to the development and persistence of SEED. It follows two groups of patients, one aged 14-17 and one aged 18 and older, to observe changes and impacts over time. Participants will be followed at multiple points at the start baseline, after treatment, two years later, and then at five, 10, and 20 years after baseline. During these times, they will undergo physical exams, provide blood samples, participate in interviews, and complete questionnaires. Caregivers of minors will also complete questionnaires. The study collects extensive data on psychiatric symptoms, personality, emotion regulation, loneliness, and inflammatory markers. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed with various interviews and questionnaires to measure eating disorder symptoms, psychosocial functioning, quality of life, and biological markers. Weekly weight checks occur during treatment and follow-up. Researchers will analyze how different factors influence the course of the disorder and treatment outcomes. The study may last up to 20 years for some participants and includes regular digital questionnaire responses and registry data reviews.

Researchers are evaluating whether teaching people personalized versus standardized emotion regulation skills can better reduce daily negative emotions. The study also aims to see if matching participants to their predicted best skill training is feasible and helpful. This research may reveal how emotion regulation treatments impact emotional health and help develop personalized, evidence-based, and scalable interventions. Participants will be randomly assigned to learn one of three emotion regulation skillscognitive restructuring, opposite to emotion action, or mindfulnessthat matches their personal strengths, or to learn all three skills through interactive videos with surveys to practice and check understanding. These training conditions are designed to compare focused versus broad skill coverage. During the study, participants will report their emotions multiple times daily for 42 days, using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form. They will also complete assessments every two weeks for six weeks, measuring depression, anxiety, personality traits, responses to emotions, and breath-counting tasks. Researchers will monitor changes in emotion regulation effectiveness and emotional experiences to understand the impact of the training.

Researchers are evaluating the feasibility and usability of a digital intervention called ChangeBite for adults with obesity and binge eating behavior. This open-label, non-randomized pilot study plans to include about 30 participants. The study aims to understand how well participants can engage with this self-guided mobile program that combines evidence-based treatments for obesity and binge eating. All participants will receive the ChangeBite intervention delivered through a smartphone app. The program integrates behavioral weight loss treatment and cognitive behavioral therapies into a personalized, self-guided experience using an artificial conversational agent and adaptive interventions. The study includes a baseline period followed by assessments at 12 and 24 weeks, during which participants will use the app and attend follow-up video calls. Participants will complete self-report scales and semi-structured interviews conducted via video call. The study will track app use frequency and duration through software analytics. Weekly body weight will be recorded by participants submitting timestamped pictures of their scale readings, allowing calculation of Body Mass Index. The research team will measure binge eating episodes and weight changes over three months to assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of intranasal oxytocin compared to a placebo in adults diagnosed with binge-eating disorder or episodes of bingeing. The study aims to see if 8 weeks of oxytocin treatment can reduce the frequency of binge episodes and assess its safety and tolerability. Additionally, the study will explore how changes in appetite control, reward sensitivity, and impulse control after 4 weeks may predict treatment success by week 8. At least 60 eligible adults will be randomly assigned to receive either oxytocin nasal spray or a placebo nasal solution without oxytocin in a double-blind setup. Participants will use the assigned nasal spray for 8 weeks. The study includes an 8-week treatment period followed by an 8-week post-treatment observation phase. Evaluations occur at baseline, week 2, week 4, week 8, and week 16 to monitor progress and effects. Throughout the study, participants will undergo medical history reviews, physical exams, body measurements, lab tests, EKGs, and assessments of eating habits. Researchers will measure binge frequency as the primary outcome at 8 weeks, along with reward sensitivity and impulse control as secondary outcomes. Follow-up visits at week 16 will help assess any lasting effects after treatment ends, ensuring thorough safety monitoring and data collection over the total study period.

Researchers are exploring whether behavioral and psychological factors are linked to the types and functions of bacteria in the intestines of children and adolescents with eating disorders ED. The study focuses on differences in gut microbiota between young patients with ED and healthy peers, dietary and lifestyle influences on gut bacteria, and whether these factors can predict treatment response after one year. It also examines gut microbiota differences among various ED subtypes including anorexia nervosa and avoidantrestrictive food intake disorder ARFID. The study involves two groups children and adolescents recently diagnosed with an eating disorder and healthy participants matched by age and sex. Participants with ED will complete lifestyle and psychological questionnaires, undergo body measurements, and provide blood and stool samples at the start and after one year. Healthy participants will provide similar data only at baseline. Stool samples will be analyzed for bacteria types and functions using advanced DNA sequencing techniques. Participants will share detailed medical, psychiatric, and lifestyle histories through interviews and questionnaires. Researchers will measure body composition, blood markers related to hormones and inflammation, and analyze stool for gut bacteria and metabolites. Psychological tests will assess eating disorder symptoms and related mental health conditions. The main outcomes measured are gut microbiota composition and function at baseline, with follow-up after one year for patients. The study aims to improve understanding of gut-related factors in eating disorders to support personalized treatment approaches.

Researchers are evaluating a mentalization-based parenting program called the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program for parents with various mental disorders who are receiving adult mental health services. This trial compares this program to the usual care provided to these parents. The goal is to study both the short- and long-term effects of this intervention on parenting stress and related outcomes, addressing the high need for evidence-based support for parents with mental health conditions and their children. The study involves two groups one receives the Lighthouse MBT Parenting Program, which includes a preparatory individual session followed by twelve weekly group sessions of two hours each. The other group receives care as usual, consisting of one or two sessions with family members, commonly offered in adult mental health services. Both interventions are provided alongside the participants regular outpatient treatment. Participants will be assessed at the start of the study and again at 6, 12, and 24 months after starting the program. The research team will measure parenting stress using a standardized index and evaluate other factors such as childrens psychological adjustment, family functioning, quality of life, parenting competence, and the severity of psychiatric symptoms. The study includes careful follow-up to monitor these outcomes over two years.

This research aims to evaluate an adapted version of the Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope HOPE intervention designed to address burnout among gynecologic oncology clinicians. Burnout and stress in these clinicians can lead to serious personal, professional, and societal impacts including distress, mental illness, poorer patient outcomes, increased errors, and reduced physician availability in this specialty. The adapted intervention, called HOPE-C, applies hope theory and social-cognitive theory to foster peer support and help clinicians reframe their challenging experiences. The study includes three main objectives. First, clinicians review the HOPE-C materials and provide feedback through interviews and questionnaires to help develop the intervention. Next, clinicians participate in weekly HOPE-C sessions for four weeks, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, focusing on changing their narrative, managing uncertainty, and finding meaning. After completing the sessions, clinicians complete questionnaires and may participate in follow-up interviews to optimize and assess the intervention. Participants will be assessed before, during, and after the intervention using questionnaires and interviews. Researchers will track feasibility measures such as enrollment rate, intervention completion, survey completion, as well as acceptability and satisfaction with the HOPE-C program. The study runs from the initial feedback phase through intervention delivery and follow-up, lasting several weeks, with assessments at baseline, during, and two weeks after completing sessions to understand the programs impact on clinician burnout.

Eating disorders are affecting many adolescents, with up to 22% showing symptoms, often alongside other mental health issues. Since adolescence is a crucial time when eating disorders can begin, preventing them during this period is very important. This study aims to adapt and test a digital chatbot program designed to prevent eating disorders in diverse groups of adolescents, including underserved populations such as low-income youth and minorities. Participants in the study will use the Wysa digital chatbot program, which offers cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT based self-help modules focused on regular eating habits and improving body image. The program includes five modules delivered over three months. The study has two groups one receives immediate access to the chatbot, while the other group waits six months before accessing it after completing the study. Throughout the study, participants will engage with the chatbot daily to complete the modules. Researchers will assess eating disorder risk factors using tools like the Weight Concerns Scale at six months. The study also focuses on addressing depression and anxiety as related issues. The total participation duration covers the three months of program use plus follow-up assessments to evaluate the chatbots effectiveness in preventing eating disorders.