NCT00755820

Food Exposure Therapy in Anorexia Nervosa

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 32 (actual)
• Sponsor: New York State Psychiatric Institute · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 45 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This is a research study to determine whether a medication called D-cycloserine (DCS) in combination with a type of psychotherapy called Exposure Therapy is helpful to patients with anorexia nervosa.

Detailed description

This is a research study to determine whether a medication called D-cycloserine (DCS) in combination with a type of psychotherapy called Exposure Therapy is helpful to patients with anorexia nervosa. DCS is approved by the FDA as an antibiotic medication, but has not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Past studies have found that DCS together with Exposure Therapy can help people with height phobia, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anorexia nervosa often includes phobia-like fears, obsessive thoughts, and compulsive rituals, so the current study aims to determine whether DCS paired with Exposure Therapy can also help people with anorexia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by self-starvation, extreme weight loss, and difficulty maintaining a normal weight. You have been asked to participate in this study because you have been given a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. In this study you will receive one of three therapies: Exposure Therapy with DCS, Exposure Therapy with placebo (inactive medication), or Treatment as Usual. You will participate in a total of four test meals in a laboratory setting. A total of 70 individuals with anorexia nervosa will participate in this study. Twenty individuals who have never had an eating disorder will participate in one portion of this study.

Conditions

• Anorexia Nervosa

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Exposure Therapy + D-Cycloserine	Exposure therapy with d-cycloserine medication
BEHAVIORAL	Exposure Therapy + Placebo	Exposure therapy with placebo medication
BEHAVIORAL	Supportive Psychotherapy	Supportive psychotherapy

Timeline

• Start date: 2008-01-01
• Primary completion: 2012-01-01
• Completion: 2012-01-01
• First posted: 2008-09-19
• Last updated: 2012-10-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States