Current Research Studies

About the study

This study will investigate the effects of a therapeutic ketogenic diet (TKD) on eating behavior, including drive to restrict, body dissatisfaction, mood, and anxiety in individuals with anorexia nervosa who have been weight normalized (body mass index of 17.5 or greater) but continue to struggle with eating disorder behaviors including a high drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

In this 14-week study, study participants will be carefully assessed and oriented to the ketogenic diet according to the procedures in our small previous trial (Calabrese et al., 2022). The study will be conducted in a university medical environment, showing feasibility and safety in a typical medical setting. A commercial supplier will provide the ketogenic diet. After ketosis induction over two weeks, study participants will be assessed weekly for ketosis and mood, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms.

WE’RE RECRUITING

Individuals ages 18 to 45 years old who have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who have been weight normalized but continue to have high impairment from the illness with a high (2 standard deviations above average) drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction and a high drive for food restriction and thus are at high risk for full relapse.

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $600 for completing all study procedures. You may also be compensated for travel if you reside outside of the San Diego region.

About the study

No studies of cannabidiol (CBD) have focused on Anorexia Nervosa (AN). Dose, side effects, tolerability, acceptability of pure CBD in anorexia nervosa (AN) must be established. The current study is an important first step in the investigation of CBD for AN. Cannabis products have been recently legalized in many states, and CBD in particular has been shown to reduce anxiety. Therefore, CBD may represent a promising new treatment for AN. CBD may be particularly beneficial in decreasing anxiety in AN via its action at serotonin receptors. The impact of CBD on eating behavior and weight in AN must be determined. The current study seeks to explore these hypotheses.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

The study includes at first screening and assessment visits as well as a blood draw and EKG. If you qualify, then the main part is a 3 week trial of cannabidiol (CBD, brand name Epidiolex) or placebo. You would get three dosages (increasing every week) and have a once a week assessment and blood draw visit.

WE’RE RECRUITING

Adult females ages 18 to 40 years old who have a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and have a duration of illness greater than 6 months

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $300 for completing all study procedures

About the study

The current study is an important step toward developing a new treatment for anorexia nervosa. It is called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for anorexia nervosa. TMS brain stimulation has been used to treat depression for many years and has recently been approved for the treatment of OCD as well as smoking cessation. TMS involves a magnet placed over the head. The magnet is repeatedly turned on and off. This procedure is called TMS. Most often in the past patients received one 40-minute treatment session per day, five days a week and for several weeks. New research has shown that shorter periods of stimulation delivered multiple times per day for only one week may be equally or even more effective. This is what we are using in this study. This procedure is called intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a new form of TMS. The goal of this study is to test the feasibility, safety and acceptability of iTBS in anorexia nervosa and to test whether iTBS can reduce body image distortion and therefore help with anorexia nervosa treatment.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

The study includes at first screening and assessment visits as well as a blood draw. If you qualify, then the main part is a 1-2 week trial of 10 daily iTBS sessions over the course of 5 days. You will be randomized to either the active iTBS or sham iTBS group. Participants in the active iTBS group will receive 5 consecutive days of iTBS treatment (10 sessions per day, total of 50 sessions over the one-week treatment). While each session only takes less than 5 minutes, you will be required to stay in the research suite in-between the sessions so we can make sure you do not have side effects from the treatment. If you are in the sham group you will complete the same sessions but with no active brain stimulation. At the end of the 5 days you will find out whether you had been in the sham group. You will be offered an additional 5 days of active iTBS if you had been randomized to the sham group.

WE’RE RECRUITING

Adult females between the ages of 18 to 45 years old who have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and are medically stable

COMPENSATION

Participants will receive up to $150 per day of TMS sessions (Total of $750 for the Active Group and $1500 for the Placebo/Active Group).

About the study

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of ketone supplementation on behavior and brain function in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Recent studies have suggested that eating disorders are associated with genes that alter metabolism, or how our body uses energy sources. Ketones are a form of energy that the body uses when it does not have or cannot use sugar that is circulating in the blood. We hypothesize that brain cells in individuals with eating disorders do not use sugar efficiently and self-starvation is a way of generating ketones that then can be used more efficiently to supply energy. By adding plant derived ketones in the diet in this study, we provide an additional energy source that may help normalize energy homeostasis in individuals with eating disorders.

In this study you will receive two weeks of plant derived ketone supplementation, we will ask you about thoughts, feelings and behaviors in relation to the supplement, and to have an objective measure of brain function, you will be having two electroencephalography (EEG) brain scans.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

Participation in this study includes questionnaires about mood, eating, and behavior, a diagnostic interview, 2 EEG visits, and 2 weeks ketone supplementation and daily mood assessments.

WE’RE RECRUITING

Adults between the ages of 18 to 65 years old who have been diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia nervosa and are medically stable.

COMPENSATION

Participants will receive a gift card for $50 for completing the study procedures

About the study

Researchers at UC San Diego are conducting an imaging research study on women with eating disorders to help us examine the neurobiology of eating disorders. We will investigate areas of the brain responsible for ‘liking’, ‘wanting’, and learning using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, a test meal, and self-report questionnaires and interviews.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

This research study involves one phone call and four study visits over one year:

• Brief screening typically over the phone (~30 minutes)
• Visit 1 – Interviews/Surveys/Physical Evaluation (~3 hours)
• Visit 2 – fMRI imaging/Computer tasks/Surveys (~4 hours)
• Visit 3 – Study Meal (~1 hour)
• Visit 4 – 1-Year Follow Up Interviews/Surveys/Study Meal (~4 hours)

WE’RE RECRUITING

You may be eligible if you are:

• between the ages of 18 and 35,
• currently have an eating disorder OR never had an eating disorder

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $450 for completing all study procedures and receive pictures of your brain.

About the study

The purpose of this study is to investigate what body concerns young men encounter as well as different ways that we can improve the ways men relate to their bodies.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

This study involves interviews, self-report questionnaires, and participation in two body image groups for men. The study is longitudinal, and we will track body image concerns at four time points across a 6-7 month period.

COMPENSATION

Participants are compensated up to $70 for completing all of the study procedures

WE’RE RECRUITING

• Young adult males ages 18 – 30, who live in California

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

• Male
• Live in California
• Speak English

About the study

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the areas of the brain that are involved in decision-making and learning in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The fMRI is a standard procedure that uses powerful magnets to take pictures of the brain.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

This study involves interviews, self-report questionnaires, blood work, fMRI scan, a computer task, and 2 weeks of EMA (ecological momentary assessment, which are in-the-moment brief surveys that would be sent to the participant’s phone.)

COMPENSATION

Participants are compensated up to $250 for completing all of the study procedures.

WE’RE RECRUITING

• Female adolescent individuals ages 13 – 17 who are currently diagnosed with restricting, binge, or purging subtype of anorexia nervosa.

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

• Right-handed
• Individuals who are not currently pregnant or have metal devices, implants, or braces.

About the study

This research study explores the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of psilocybin, a psychedelic, for individuals with anorexia nervosa. Participants will undergo medical and psychological screening. If eligible, they will receive a either a single 25 mg dose or a 1mg dose of psilocybin along with psychotherapeutic support, which includes preparation and integration sessions surrounding the experience. In recent years, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the safety and preliminary efficacy of psilocybin in clinical trials for a range of psychiatric illnesses including treatment resistant depression, obsession compulsive disorder, addiction, and anxiety. We are excited to extend this research to anorexia nervosa.

What you'll be asked to do

The study involves 15-17 visits over a duration of 4-5 months. Participation includes diagnostic interviews, medical tests to ensure eligibility, self-report assessments, a psilocybin dosing visit, and therapeutic support with therapists trained in eating disorders and psychedelic treatment before and after the experience. Vital signs and four blood samples will also be taken to ensure participants’ safety and tolerability of the psilocybin. Anorexia nervosa symptoms will be measured by a change in the score of questionnaires that evaluate eating disorder symptoms by having participants complete interviews and questionnaires before and after the dosing.

WE’RE RECRUITING

• Adult females and males who have a current diagnosis of anorexia nervosa

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

• Medically stable adult females and males above 18 years of age
• History of disordered eating for at least 3 years

About the study

This research is investigating areas of the brain responsible for temperaments reflecting greater inhibition, impulsivity, and effortful control. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques use powerful magnetic fields that allow a scanner and a computer to take very detailed pictures of the structure of the brain and brain activation.

What you'll be asked to do

Participation in this study includes self-report assessments, diagnostic interviews, bloodwork, and a baseline MRI scan visit. There is also an additional 1-year follow up, which includes self-report assessments, interviews, and a follow-up MRI scan visit.

Compensation

You will be compensated up to $525

WE’RE RECRUITING

• Females who currently have an eating disorder

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

• Adolescent females between the ages of 13-17 years old

ABOUT THE STUDY

This research uses fMRI to assess how the brains of individuals who have recovered from eating disorders may respond differently during tasks related to various sensations. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) techniques use powerful magnetic fields that allow a scanner and a computer to take very detailed pictures of the structure of the brain and brain activation.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

Participation in this study includes diagnostic interviews and a 2- 4 hour scanning visit, with one- two hours in the MRI scanner. During the scan, participants will complete two tasks, the first of which the participant will experience two types of sensations- one tactile sensation and one respiratory sensation. The second task will measure emotional response to sound.

COMPENSATION

Participants are compensated $200 for this single visit. Depending on participants’ current location, we cover travel expenses as well as a one night hotel stay for the visit.

WE’RE RECRUITING

• Females who have recovered from anorexia nervosa

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

• Adults and teen females between ages 18-45 years old
• Behavior/symptom free for at least 12 months (if recovered)
• Drug and medicine free for at least 3 months (birth control is okay)

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Legacy Project aims to help implement evidence-based practice for bulimic-spectrum eating disorders within community settings in San Diego. The project will be providing training and consultation to therapists at Rady Children’s Hospital (RCH) Outpatient Psychiatry Clinics in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based practice for bulimic spectrum eating disorders, with the goal of helping improve outcomes for difficult-to-treat cases. The study is in collaboration with RCH Outpatient Psychiatry Clinics and supported by the Rolf Benirschke Legacy Foundation.