Current Research Studies
Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet in Anorexia Nervosa
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.
CBD Anorexia Nervosa Study
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
Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
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.
Virtual Body Image Program for Men
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
Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anorexia
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
The Legacy Project
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.