A double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial on the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in obese people with binge eating disorder

• Grant number: 14/04258-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Angélica de Medeiros Claudino
• Grantee: Angélica de Medeiros Claudino
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The presence of binge eating (BE) is a core feature of bulimic syndromes. Binge eating disorder (BED) is a new category in DSM-5 highly associated with higher body mass index (BMI). The neural mechanisms that underlie BE are of great interest in order to improve treatment interventions. Brain mechanisms underlying drug and food craving are suggested to be similar. These mechanisms demonstrated hyperactivity in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex and lack of regulatory influence from lateral prefrontal circuits. Several novel studies began to assess the potential benefits of brain stimulation in reducing craving and associated addictive behaviors with promising results. Previous findings testing a one-off session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in healthy women identified as strong cravers and individuals with bulimia nervosa or bulimic-type eating disorders reported reduction of food craving and BE, providing evidence to support a broader and deeper investigation of the benefits associated with rTMS. Importantly, the use of brain imaging studies contributes to understanding of psychiatric disorders and underlying mechanisms being target by the rTMS intervention. Objectives: The primary aim is to investigate the effects of rTMS over BE frequency. Secondary aims include the evaluation of the effects of rTMS on food craving, body weight, brain activity, cognition, general psychopathology and hormonal regulation. Methods: Sixty obese females with BED will be randomized to receive 20 sessions of rTMS (n=30) or placebo (n=30) scattered 3 days/week. Expected Results: Primarily it is expected that rTMS intervention will decrease food craving and BE frequency. Consequently, body weight will be reduced. It is also expected that cognitive performance be enhanced, and neurobiological markers be improved. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARANHAO, MARA FERNANDES; ESTELLA, NARA MENDES; COGO-MOREIRA, HUGO; SCHMIDT, ULRIKE; CAMPBELL, IAIN C.; CLAUDINO, ANGELICA MEDEIROS. Concept and evaluation of food craving: unidimensional scales based on the Trait and the State Food Craving Questionnaire. Cadernos de Saúde Pública, v. 34, n. 5, 2018. (14/04258-5)

ESTELLA, NARA MENDES; SANCHES, LIANA GUERRA; MARANHAO, MARA FERNANDES; HOEXTER, MARCELO QUEIROZ; SCHMIDT, ULRIKE; CAMPBELL, IAIN C.; AMARO, EDSON; CLAUDINO, ANGELICA MEDEIROS. Brain white matter microstructure in obese women with binge eating disorder. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, v. 28, n. 5, JUL 2020. (14/04258-5)

MARANHAO, MARA FERNANDES; ESTELLA, NARA MENDES; GISBERT CURY, MARIA ELISA; AMIGO, VERUSKA LASTORIA; PICASSO, CLARISSA MOLLINERO; BERBERIAN, ARTHUR; CAMPBELL, IAIN; SCHMIDT, ULRIKE; CLAUDINO, ANGELICA MEDEIROS. The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in obese females with binge eating disorder: a protocol for a double-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, v. 15, AUG 12 2015. (14/04258-5)