Eating Disorder Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Eating Disorder Clinical Trials?

Eating disorders are severe conditions linked with eating behaviors that can significantly impact an individual's overall physical and mental health. The eating disorders include binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia.

In these eating disorders, patients are too focused on their body shape and weight, resulting in unhealthy eating habits and causing nutrition deficiency. Eating disorders can harm bones, the digestive system, and the heart.

Since these eating disorders typically impact young adults and teens, resulting in significant health issues, it is essential to conduct clinical trials to find a way to prevent and treat these conditions.

Why Is Eating Disorder Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Eating disorders impact about 9% of individuals globally and 28.8 million individuals in the US. At least once in their lifetime, around 0.4% of women and 0.1% of men suffer from anorexia nervosa.

Eating disorders are often linked with mental health issues and increase the chances of medical complications and suicide risk. Clinical trials are needed to find effective treatments and early detection to prevent and ensure full recovery from eating disorders.

What Are The Types of Treatments Available For Eating Disorders?

The eating disorder treatment varies based on the type of eating disorder and the specific needs of the individual. The treatments usually include a combination of the following:

• Maudsley approach: This is a family therapy to help parents of teen kids dealing with anorexia.
• Medications: This also helps treat other conditions with eating disorders, like depression or anxiety.
• Nutrition counseling: This helps improve eating habits and teaches the patients to create nutritious meal plans.
• Psychotherapy: The right therapy is established based on the condition of the patient. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to help control emotions and behaviors.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Eating Disorders?

2023: Research has found that Psilocybin is not just a good depression treatment but can also help treat eating disorders like binge eating, bulimia, and anorexia. The results show the efficacy and safety of Psilocybin in treating eating disorders. However, there is a need to conduct more clinical trials and research on eating disorders and Psilocybin.

2019: FDA granted approval for dasotraline as a treatment for those with severe or moderate eating disorders. This drug is a novel norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, used once a day, and has shown positive results in treating binge eating disorder. The 12-week placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial found that dasotraline was well-tolerated and showed positive results.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders / Researchers / Institutions Conducting Eating Disorder Clinical Trials Research?

Eating Disorder Foundation: This is a non-profit company dedicated to assisting individuals battling with eating disorders by raising awareness, offering free support, and supporting research and clinical trials to eliminate and prevent eating disorders.

Dr. Stephanie Knatz Peck: Dr. Peck is a clinical psychologist and professor specializing in treating eating disorders. She plays an integral role in developing novel clinical treatments and has published a treatment manual to provide guidelines for loved ones to help an eating disorder patient. Dr. Peck is involved in evaluating, delivering, and developing psychedelic-assisted treatments for eating disorders and is currently co-investigating a study to evaluate psilocybin therapy for anorexia.