Identifying Networks Underlying Compulsivity in Anorexia Nervosa for Targeting With Neuromodulation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · Nov 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new treatment approach for people with anorexia nervosa (AN), a condition where individuals have an intense fear of weight gain, leading to very restricted eating and low body weight. The researchers are looking at a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), which uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. They want to find out if a brain area known as the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), which is already used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), can also be a target for helping those with AN. The study will also examine how brain networks change in response to this treatment.

To join the study, participants must be outpatients between the ages of 18 and 45 who meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa and have been stable on their medications for at least four weeks. They should be able to tolerate the study procedures and provide informed consent. Potential participants should not have certain psychiatric or neurological conditions, and pregnant or nursing women are not eligible. If you decide to participate, you can expect to undergo rTMS sessions and be closely monitored throughout the study. This research aims to improve treatment options for anorexia nervosa by understanding the brain's role in this condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • outpatients
• • ages 16 - 75 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