The Metro CCCED is committed to research in the field of eating disorders. The three Metro CCCED partners foster active research programs to identify and address gaps in evidence-based prevention and treatment methods. Treatment for patients eligible and interested in research participation may be available at no cost.

Current studies include:

TREATMENT STUDIES

Atypical antipsychotic medication for patients with anorexia nervosa

This NIH-funded study at Columbia/NYSPI aims to collect pilot data about acceptability, tolerability and general efficacy of atypical antipsychotic medication for patients with anorexia nervosa.

Effects of Erythromycin on Binge Eating and GI Function in Bulimia Nervosa

As part of a group of psychobiological studies that Columbia/NYSPI has conducted over the past 20 years, this treatment study is examining a novel medication, the antibiotic erythromycin, for BN. Erythromycin has been found to speed up gastric emptying, which previously has been found to be delayed in patients with BN compared with normal controls. This 6-week, double blind, placebo controlled trial examines the effects of the antibiotic erythromycin on the frequency of binge eating and vomiting, as well as on the process of gastric emptying in patients with Bulimia Nervosa.

Family Therapy and Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

The primary aim of this NIMH-funded multi-site treatment study at NYPH-Westchester is to compare the short- and long-term effectiveness of Behavioral Family Therapy (i.e., the Maudsley approach) and Family Systems Therapy, and the effects of fluoxetine (i.e., Prozac) compared to placebo, for adolescents (ages 12-18) struggling with Anorexia Nervosa.

Food exposure therapy in Anorexia Nervosa

This pilot study at Columbia/NYSPI aims to evaluate the utility of a manualized exposure therapy in reducing anxiety surrounding meals for patients with Anorexia Nervosa completing weight restoration treatment. Patients will be randomized to either receive four sessions of exposure therapy aimed at confronting fears of caloric intake or treatment as usual on the inpatient unit.

Oxcarbazepine for BN

This open label trial using oxcarbazepine in ten adolescent and adult BN patients at NYPH-Westchester aims to evaluate potential benefit in eating behaviors, as well as safety, tolerability and adverse effects associated with this medication.

BIOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL STUDIES

In addition, there are several ongoing studies of biological aspects of eating disorders. Each of these studies aims to broaden our understanding of mechanism of these illnesses. Findings from this line of research extend our understanding of eating disorders and help identify possible treatment interventions that warrant study.

Activity monitoring in anorexia nervosa

This study at Columbia/NYSPI aims to obtain sensitive measurements of activity levels in patients with AN during the process of weight restoration, and to correlate the activity with emotional state, including mood.

Brain imaging in eating disorders

The EDRU at NYSPI has several ongoing brain imaging studies for patients with eating disorders. In two different studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), patterns of learning and thinking about food are being investigated using food and non-food cues. An additional study aims to measure the activity of the neurochemical serotonin by examining the concentration of the serotonin transporter protein (SERT) using positron emission tomography (PET) in weight restored patients with a history of AN.

Classification of AN and BN

The aim of this study is to identify factors that discriminate AN patients with and without binge-purge behaviors, normal weight BN patients, and patients who meet criteria for BED. Another aim is to identify factors that may predict the development of binge-purge symptoms in AN patients. This will be done using structured interviews and self-report measures in willing patients treated at NYPH-Westchester.

Does Metabolic Syndrome Exist in Anorexia Nervosa?

This study at Columbia/NYSPI aims to examine whether body fat distribution changes that occur with weight gain in women recovering from anorexia nervosa are transient or persistent, and if they are associated with other features of Metabolic Syndrome.

Genetics study

NYPH-Westchester division is one of the sites for this large multi-site NIH-funded study aimed to collect blood samples for genetic analysis from families of patients with more than one member affected by anorexia nervosa.

Metabolic assessment of menstruating and non-menstruating normal weight adolescents

The aim of this review is to better understand the mechanism of amenorrhea in patients with Eating Disorders through a retrospective review of normal weight adolescents. The project will study adolescents referred to Schneider Children's Hospital Eating Disorder Center for indirect calorimetry tests between Feb. 2000 and July 2006. Resting Energy Expenditure (REE) will be compared between those who are amenorrheic and those who are menstruating regularly.

Psychobiology of eating disorders

This project at Columbia/NYSPI, nearing it’s 20th year, aims to expand our understanding of the mechanism of eating disorders by conducting sequential studies to identify behavioral and biological disturbances in patients as compared with healthy volunteers. One study is currently examining levels of the satiety hormone cholocystokinin (CCK) in patients with BN compared to controls during a meal. Another is looking at both cholocystokinin (CCK) levels and gastric emptying in women with BED compared to individuals without an eating disorder.

Severity of Illness Study

The study at Schneider Children’s hospital will analyze whether % Ideal Body Weight, % Maximum Weight or Total Weight Lost Over Time would better predict the severity of illness in adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa or EDNOS. Measures of clinical severity will include cardiovascular stability, metabolic derangements, endocrine abnormalities, indices of refeeding syndrome, and psychological parameters measured in self-report measures.

Translational research in eating disorders

In this developmental study at Columbia/NYSPI, eating disorder specialists collaborate with clinical researchers who specialize in substance abuse and basic science researchers who work on animal models for addictive disorders and feeding behavior disturbances. The collaboration hopes to explore the possible scientific overlap between eating and substance use disorders and identify possible treatment strategies founded on any common principles shared by the two groups of disorders.