Food Exposure Therapy in Anorexia Nervosa

Completed

• Conditions: Anorexia Nervosa
• Interventions: Behavioral: Exposure Therapy + D-Cycloserine; Behavioral: Exposure Therapy + Placebo; Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy

• Registration Number: NCT00755820
• Lead Sponsor: New York State Psychiatric Institute

Brief 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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-01
• Study First Submitted: 2008-09-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-09-18
• Study First Posted: 2008-09-19
• Primary Completion: 2012-01
• Study Completion: 2012-01
• Status Verified: 2012-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2012-10-25
• Last Update Posted: 2012-10-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
EXP-DCS/Exposure-D-cycloserine	Exposure Therapy + D-Cycloserine	Exposure Therapy + D-Cycloserine
EXP-PBO	Exposure Therapy + Placebo	Exposure Therapy + Placebo
SP	Supportive Psychotherapy	Supportive psychotherapy

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

New York State Psychiatric Institute; 🇺🇸 New York, New York, United States