Serotonin Role on Brain Circuits Involved in Food Avoidance in Anorexia Nervosa

Launched by CENTRE HOSPITALIER UNIVERSITAIRE DE SAINT ETIENNE · Dec 1, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating the role of serotonin, a chemical in the brain, in how people with anorexia nervosa control their food intake and avoid eating. Researchers want to understand how serotonin affects brain areas involved in these behaviors, particularly in women who have restrictive anorexia nervosa. The study is currently looking for female participants aged 18 to 45 who fit specific criteria, such as having a low body weight (BMI less than 17.5) and experiencing a strong fear of weight gain, but who do not have any binge-eating or purging behaviors.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating, participants will need to sign a consent form and meet other requirements, such as not taking certain medications and being free from serious health issues like heart problems. Those who qualify will undergo tests, including an MRI, to see how their brain responds to food-related situations. This research aims to improve understanding of anorexia nervosa and could potentially lead to better treatments in the future.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Common Criteria for inclusion :
• • Signature of written consent
• • Subject affiliated or entitled to a social security scheme
• • Inclusion Criteria: Patients with restrictive anorexia nervosa (30 subjects).
• • Anorexia nervosa common features : fear of weight gain, dysmorphophobia, BMI \< 17.5 kg/ m², amenorrhea
• • Absence of food compulsions and purges
• • Subgroup 1 (15 subjects) : STAI Y2 anxiety score \> 61
• • Subgroup 2 (15 subjects) : STAI Y2 anxiety score \< 51
• • Inclusion criteria - Female control subjects (15 subjects)
• • BMI between 18.5 and 25 kg/ m²
• • Absence of a psychological profile of eating disorder or other psychiatric disorders.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subjects with an oral contraception and breastfeeding woman
• • Subject with heart failure
• • Subject treated during the last three months with neuroleptics, and antiparkinsonian drugs, monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A or monoamine oxidase (MOA)-B inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, 5HT reuptake inhibitors, thymo regulators (lithium), antiepileptic dugs, codeine derivatives, morphinics, tramadol-containing products (Topalgic, ...),dopaminergic drugs.
• • Subjects with suspected pregnancy; Test β human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) positive prior to examination.
• • Subjects for whom MRI is contraindicated (pacemaker, intracerebral clips, prosthesis made of ferromagnetic material or claustrophobia).
• • Subjects unable to sign written consent for participation in the study.
• • Subject deprived of liberty by a judicial or administrative decision