DENVER, Feb. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- After receiving a $3M grant through the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in December 2017, EDCare Denver and University of Colorado Denver's Brain Research Program will begin collaborating on a five-year research study on binge eating.
Started by Dr. Guido Frank titled, "Effects of Negative Affect in Individuals with Binge Eating Episodes," the study is underway and currently seeking participants with the goal to better understand how brain function drives binge eating. Binge eating is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of foods, eating much more rapidly than normal and until feeling uncomfortably full, as well as feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or guilty after those episodes. Behavior studies have shown that negative affect and negative urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) often drive binge eating.
Major health concerns relating to binge eating disorders include reduced quality of life and increased mortality rate, and the available treatments are limited. The neurobiology underlying binge eating is not well understood and has not specifically been studied in a trans-diagnostic approach using the NIMH's research domain criteria.
Study participants will include 200 men and women with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, obesity, as well as healthy comparison individuals, ages 18 to 55 years old. Dr. Frank's research team comprised of Tamara Pryor, PhD, FAED; Megan Shott, BS; Marisa Deguzman, B.A., B.S.; and Brogan Rossi, BS, will aim to bridge the knowledge gap that exists for the following factors of binge eating:
"We are so thankful for the funding from the National Institute of Mental Health to support this project and to be partnering with EDCare," said Dr. Frank, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; Associate Medical Director, Eating Disorders Program, Children's Hospital Colorado; and Director, Developmental Brain Research Program. "We are still in the beginning stages of our study and are actively recruiting participants. Our end goal is to use this study's results to improve treatment for people suffering from binge eating disorders. We hope to make treatment easier, shorter and more successful."
EDCare's treatment strategies for BED patients include psychological treatment (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy); normalizing intake; and medication as indicated. After conducting a study in 2013, EDCare has already found positive outcomes from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based treatment for Binge Eating Disorder in a partial hospitalization program. The results suggested that CBT and specific nutritional therapy, combined with traditional eating disorder programming, effectively addressed both the underlying psychological problems, reduced or eliminated bingeing behaviors, and effectively treated the physiologic co-morbidities.
"EDCare prides itself by developing opportunities for patients to participate in cutting edge research studies that result in new clinical interventions," said Dr. Tamara Pryor, Executive Clinical Director and Director of Clinical Research at EDCare. "The passion and dedication of Dr. Frank and the members of the Brain Research Program to increasing the understanding of the neurobiology of eating disorders is already well known. It is an honor to be able to work alongside their team."
To learn more, visit https://eatingdisorder.care/research/.
CONTACT: Amanda Ford, 970.449.6870
SOURCE EDCare
These press releases may also interest you
|