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There are two current studies seeking participants posted on the Academy for Eating Disorders’ website.  One offers therapy free of charge and the other offers financial compensation.

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa and Mood and Interpersonal Dysregulation
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Principal Investigator: Heather Thompson-Brenner, Ph.D.

This is a five-month outpatient research study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Protocol Treatment by comparing traditional CBT for bulimia to Fairburn’s Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy for patients with BN and mood dysregulation and interpersonal difficulties. Initial assessment and treatment in the study will be provided free of charge. Sessions will be conducted two times per week for the first month, then weekly through month three and then bi-weekly for the last month. Weekly medical monitoring will be conducted by a nurse on site.

Eligibility criteria include the following:

1)Female
2)18 years of age or older
3) No active suicidality, (passive SI and parasuicidality does not preclude eligibility) substance dependence or Bipolar I (Bipolar II is not a rule-out)
4) Five month residence in the Boston-area.

Please contact Lauren Richards at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at 617.353.9610 for more information.

Alliance-Focused Protocol Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa
Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University
Principal Investigator: Dana Satir, M.A.

This is a four-month outpatient research study designed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a novel, outpatient psychotherapy for adults with anorexia nervosa, called Alliance-Focused Protocol Treatment. Initial assessment and treatment in the study will be provided free of charge. Session will be conducted two times per week. Weekly medical monitoring with a primary care physician will be required.

There will be a one month evaluation period for weight stabilization and assessment. Following this participants will be assigned to receive either Alliance-Focused Protocol Treatment (which will focus on eating disorder symptoms and relationships) or treatment as usual (e.g., psychoeducation, and motivation enhancement). Treatment will alternate monthly so that over the course of a three month period each participant will receive both treatments but at different doses.

Eligibility criteria include the following:

1) Female
2) 18 years of age or older
3) BMI = 16.5 kg/m² – 18.5 kg/m²
4) Medical insurance
5) Four month residence in the Boston-area.

Please contact Dana Satir at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at 617.353.9610 for more information.

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People with binge eating disorder (BED) between 18-50 years old are needed for a research study in the area of Boston, MA. In this study we are testing whether enhancing brain activity using noninvasive brain stimulation can improve core symptoms of BED and examine the mechanisms involved. We use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a technique that allows modulation of brain activity in a safe and noninvasive way. Further details on rTMS can be found at the website of our laboratory: http://tmslab.org/.

Over the study, participants receive 10 sessions of rTMS, buffet meal tests, cognitive tasks, and MRI. The study involves only outpatient visits. Compensation is up to $1,000 plus parking expenses. This study is fully approved by the IRB of our hospital and is funded by a generous grant from the Klarman Family Foundation.

Exclusion criteria are:

-Smoking or other history of substance abuse within the last 6 months.

-Prior neurosurgical procedure, or brain damage/disease.

-Personal or family history of seizures, epilepsy or other unexplained loss of consciousness.

-Current diagnosis of a psychiatric or neurological disorder (some medications OK) -Claustrophobia.

-Any metal in the body non-MRI compatible.

Please contact us for further information: Miguel Alonso-Alonso, MD, Instructor in Neurology malonso@bidmc.harvard.edu Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation Department of Neurology, Division of Behavioral Neurology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School 330 Brookline Ave. Ks-158. Boston, MA 02215 Tel. (617) 667-0240 / (617) 785-4517. Fax. (617) 975-5322