Amino Acids, Serotonin, and Body Weight Regulation
Summary
This study will assess the behavioral effects of an amino acid mixture thought to influence serotonin function in individuals who have recovered from anorexia nervosa.
Description
Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disorder resulting in psychosocial distress for patients and their families, potentially severe medical consequences, and substantial long-term mortality. A major emphasis in current therapeutic research in anorexia nervosa is exploration of new interventions to stabilize recovery and prevent relapse. Although the etiology of anorexia nervosa is unknown, altered regulation of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the central nervous system is thought to contribute to preoccupation with body shape and weight, dysregulated eating patterns, persistent anxiety, and frequent mood fluctuations. The goal of this exploratory project is to assess the behavioral effects of an amino acid mixture thought to influence serotonin function in individuals who have recovered from anorexia nervosa. It is hypothesized that this brief intervention will help diminish residual eating disorder symptoms.
All participants in this crossover study will attend eight sessions over a 9-week period. Participants will spend approximately 2 weeks in each phase, during which they will receive an amino acid mixture and the control condition.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Anorexia Nervosa
Intervention
Branched-chain amino acids
Location
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston
Massachusetts
United States
02215
Status
Completed
Source
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00343928
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Amino Acids, Branched-chain
Amino acids which have a branched carbon chain.
Multiple Acyl Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Deficiency
An autosomal recessive disorder of fatty acid oxidation, and branched chain amino acids (AMINO ACIDS, BRANCHED-CHAIN); LYSINE; and CHOLINE catabolism, that is due to defects in either subunit of ELECTRON TRANSFER FLAVOPROTEIN or its dehydrogenase, electron transfer flavoprotein-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (EC 1.5.5.1).
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
An autosomal recessive inherited disorder with multiple forms of phenotypic expression, caused by a defect in the oxidative decarboxylation of branched-chain amino acids (AMINO ACIDS, BRANCHED-CHAIN). These metabolites accumulate in body fluids and render a "maple syrup" odor. The disease is divided into classic, intermediate, intermittent, and thiamine responsive subtypes. The classic form presents in the first week of life with ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, emesis, neonatal seizures, and hypertonia. The intermediate and intermittent forms present in childhood or later with acute episodes of ataxia and vomiting. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p936)
Anorexia
The lack or loss of APPETITE accompanied by an aversion to food and the inability to eat. It is the defining characteristic of the disorder ANOREXIA NERVOSA.
Leucine Transaminase
A PYRIDOXAL PHOSPHATE containing enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transamination of branched-chain AMINO ACIDS to 2-oxoglutarate.
Clinical Trials
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PubMed Articles
Osteoporosis in anorexia nervosa.
Osteoporosis is common in anorexia nervosa. It places these patients at increased lifetime risk for fractures. Bone loss may never recover completely even once weight is restored. The strongest predic...
Intracranial Sinus Thrombosis in Anorexia Nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that commonly presents during adolescence and involves life-threatening complications. We report a case in which a patient was found to have intracranial sinus t...
Adipocytokines, gut hormones and growth factors in anorexia nervosa.
Anorexia nervosa is a complex eating disorder of unknown etiology which affects adolescent girls and young women and leads to chronic malnutrition. Clinical manifestations of prolonged semistarvation...
This study explores the lived experience of anorexia nervosa from the perspective of those who use pro-recovery websites for eating disorders. Fourteen people participated in an online focus group or...
In this research, we conducted a study of genes connected with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of anorexia nervosa, using classical statistical and data-mining methods to establish a relationship wi...
