Anorexia Nervosa
Conditions
Brief summary
The primary aim of this study is to assess the acceptability and efficacy of treating anorexia nervosa with psilocybin. The secondary aim of this study is to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Electroencephalography (EEG) to examine the neuronal underpinnings of treatment with psilocybin in this patient group.
Detailed description
Anorexia nervosa is the most fatal of all psychiatric conditions. With the current paucity of effective pharmacological and psychological treatments, and fewer than half of those diagnosed making a full recovery, there is a great need for new treatment avenues to be explored. For this study, we will recruit patients who have a primary diagnosis of anorexia nervosa as defined by DSM-V criteria, which has been established by their specialist ED team to have been present for at least 3 years, and who have found other forms of treatment ineffective. Over a period of 6 weeks, participants who are deemed eligible at screening will partake in 8 study visits, including three psilocybin dosing sessions with varying doses. The maximum dose of psilocybin a participant will receive in a single session is 25 mg. Across these 8 visits, there will also be 2 MRI scans, up to 5 EEG recordings and a range of psychological measures (questionnaires and interviews). There will be a follow-up period of 12 months following the final study visit.
Interventions
DRUGPsilocybin
Psilocybin assisted psychotherapy
Sponsors
Imperial College London
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
All participants will receive 3 doses of psilocybin. The maximum dose a participant will receive in a single session is 25 mg.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
21 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Primary DSM-V diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa 2. Current diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa, established by specialist eating disorder care team to have likely been present for \>3 years 3. Current or past treatments have not been successful to maintain remission from anorexia 4. Be in the care of a GP and specialist eating disorder team in the UK 5. Have a GP and specialist eating disorder team in the UK who can confirm diagnosis 6. Sufficiently competent in English and mental capacity to provide written informed consent 7. BMI ≥14kg/m2 and medically stable 8. Capacity to consent 9. Agree to have us maintain contact with an identified next-of-kin for the duration of the study 10. Agree to have us maintain contact with GP and/or specialist eating disorder team as required, for the duration of the study
Exclusion criteria
1. Current or previously diagnosed psychotic disorder 2. Immediate family member with a diagnosed psychotic disorder 3. Unstable physical condition e.g., rapid weight loss \> 2kg in the prior month 4. Abnormal serum electrolytes, raised cardiac enzymes, hepatic or renal dysfunction 5. MRI or EEG contraindications 6. A history of laxative abuse in the last 3 months (more than twice a week for 3 months) 7. History of serious suicide attempts or presence of a suicide/ serious self-harm risk at screening 8. Currently an involuntary patient 9. Emotionally unstable personality, history of mania, or other psychiatric problem that the screening clinician feels may jeopardise the therapeutic alliance and/or safe exposure to psilocybin 10. Blood or needle phobia 11. Positive pregnancy test at screening or during the study, or woman who are breastfeeding 12. If sexually active, participants who lack appropriate contraceptive measures 13. Drug or alcohol dependence within the last 6 months 14. No email access 15. Patients presenting with abnormal QT interval prolongation at screening or with a history of this (QTc at screening above 470ms) 16. Patients who are currently, or have recently (within 3 months) been enrolled in another CTIMP.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness and Motivation Questionnaire (RMQ) | Baseline - Primary endpoint (6 weeks) | Increase in readiness and motivation to recover from baseline to primary endpoint, which will be related to long-term improvements in psychopathology. |
| Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) | Baseline - Primary endpoint (6 weeks) - 6 month follow-up. | Decrease in eating disorder psychopathology. |
| Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) | Baseline - Primary endpoint (6 weeks) - 6 month follow-up. | Decrease in eating disorder psychopathology. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) | Baseline - Primary endpoint (6 weeks) | Changes in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal during rest and disorder relevant tasks. |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed