Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Inhibitory Control Training to Reduce Binge Eating: Brain and Behavioral Changes

Launched by RAQUEL VILAR LÓPEZ · Oct 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment approach for individuals who experience binge eating, which is when someone frequently eats large amounts of food in a short time and feels a loss of control during these episodes. The researchers aim to see if combining a brain stimulation technique called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) with training to improve self-control around food can help reduce binge eating behaviors. Participants will be divided into three groups: one will receive real brain stimulation while practicing food-related self-control tasks, another will receive a different form of real brain stimulation with the same tasks, and the third group will receive a placebo (fake) stimulation along with the same tasks.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be between 18 and 60 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) between 20 and 39.9, and have experienced at least two binge eating episodes in the past month. They should also be proficient in Spanish and right-handed. If you join the study, you can expect to undergo brain stimulation sessions and participate in activities designed to help you improve your eating habits. This research is important because it explores new ways to address binge eating and could lead to better treatment options in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • BMI between 20 and 39.9
• • Age between 18 and 60 years
• • Two or more binge eating episodes in the past month (assessed with the Binge Eating Scale)
• • Proficiency in the Spanish language
• • Right lateral dominance to avoid differential effects due to cortical hemispheric specialization
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Traumatic, digestive, metabolic or systemic disorders that affect the central nervous system, autonomic or endocrine
• • Psychopathological disorders or presence of severe symptoms in the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21)
• • Eeating disorders other than Binge Eating Disorder, or severe or extreme Binge Eating Disorder (8 or more binges per week)
• • Contraindication for performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (pregnancy, metal implants, etc.) or iTBS (tinnitus, dizziness, surgical interventions, diseases or drugs that affect the central nervous system, etc.).