Binge Eating Disorder

Researchers are conducting the GENESIS clinical study to map the HLA genomic region in the Greek population and explore its possible links with various underlying diseases. This non-interventional, multicenter study aims to provide a pilot map of genetic variation in HLA that may be useful in medical research and clinical applications related to selected diseases. The study plans to include 12,000 participants over a total duration of 36 months. Each participant will attend one visit at a participating site during which they will provide demographic data, lifestyle information such as smoking and alcohol use, blood pressure measurements, details on diagnosed diseases and treatments, and recent laboratory test results if available. Buccal swab samples will be collected from each participant to extract DNA for HLA genotyping analysis. Selected samples will undergo further whole genome sequencing to investigate associations with autoimmune diseases. Participants will receive a personalized ancestry report after analysis completion. During the study visit, data collection includes demographic and health information, as well as laboratory and clinical test results from the past year. The genetic material from buccal swabs will be stored and processed for genetic analysis. Researchers will measure allele frequency of HLA alleles in the Greek population and assess the prevalence and risk associations of selected HLA-related diseases. The study's total duration is 36 months with results available at the end of this period.

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 skills—cognitive restructuring, opposite to emotion action, or mindfulness—that 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 avoidant/restrictive 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 children's 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.

Researchers are evaluating a single-session, online, parent-focused intervention aimed at preventing body image concerns and disordered eating in young children aged 2 to 6 years. This study addresses the early recognition of societal appearance ideals by children and the role of parents in shaping their children's exposure to these ideals. The study focuses on reducing predictors of body image disturbance, which are linked to serious mental health issues including eating disorders that have significant psychological and physical impacts. The intervention consists of a modular workshop delivered online to parents, covering four key areas: Body Image Development and Body Talk, Food Talk, Picky Eating and Mealtime Conversations, and Media Usage and Social Comparison. Each module lasts about 10 minutes. In the study, 50 parents will receive the full intervention while another 50 parents in the control group will not receive any intervention but will complete knowledge checks. The study aims to test the acceptability and feasibility of this approach. Participants will complete the intervention modules and then provide feedback on their experience, including which module they found most useful, along with knowledge assessments. Researchers will monitor acceptability immediately after the intervention and track recruitment, retention, and data completeness over approximately one year. The study will also evaluate the initial effectiveness of the intervention directly after completion. Participation involves completing online modules and questionnaires during the study period.

Researchers are evaluating an adapted version of the Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope (HOPE) intervention called HOPE-C, designed to address burnout among gynecologic oncology clinicians. Burnout in these clinicians can negatively impact mental health, professional performance, patient outcomes, and healthcare systems. The original HOPE intervention promotes hope in ovarian cancer patients through positive narratives; HOPE-C tailors these concepts to clinicians by fostering peer support and helping them reframe challenging experiences. The study involves three main objectives. First, clinicians review HOPE-C materials and provide feedback through interviews and questionnaires to help develop the intervention. Next, in a pilot trial, clinicians attend four weekly HOPE-C sessions, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes, focusing on changing narratives, managing uncertainty, and finding meaning. Before and after these sessions, clinicians complete questionnaires. Finally, clinicians may participate in interviews after completing HOPE-C to further optimize and evaluate the intervention. Participants will be involved in reviewing materials, attending sessions, and completing questionnaires and interviews. Researchers will assess feasibility by tracking accrual rates, intervention completion, and survey completion. They will also measure acceptability, satisfaction, and delivery of the intervention. Data collection occurs at enrollment, during the four-week intervention, and up to two weeks post-intervention. The trial is sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and includes clinicians working with ovarian cancer patients.