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A Study of the Effects of Oxytocin in Adults With Binge-eating Disorder

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study to Evaluate the Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin in Adults With Binge-eating Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05664516
Acronym
STROBE
Enrollment
60
Registered
2022-12-23
Start date
2023-03-07
Completion date
2027-02-28
Last updated
2026-08-14

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Binge-eating Disorder

Keywords

Binge, Binge-eating disorder, Oxytocin, Over-eating, Impulse Control

Brief summary

This study evaluates the impact of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo in patients with binge eating disorder or episodes of binging. We hypothesize that 8 weeks of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo will improve clinical outcomes \[reduction in bingeing frequency\], and have a satisfactory safety and tolerability profile. We will also explore the predictive value of changes in homeostatic appetite, reward sensitivity, and impulse control, the identified underlying mediators, as assessed 4 weeks into the intervention, for treatment success after 8 weeks of the intervention.

Detailed description

Study staff will screen patients for eligibility as per eligibility criteria. At least 60 eligible patients will be randomized 1:1 (active oxytocin: placebo) by an unblinded pharmacist. All other study staff and test subjects will be blinded. Study subject medical histories, physical exams, anthropometric measurements, labs, EKG's, and eating habits will be monitored over 8 weeks. Subjects will be evaluated at the following intervals: Baseline, week 2, week 4, week 8, and week 16 (8 weeks post-treatment).

Interventions

DRUGTNX-1900 (Tonix Pharmaceuticals)

oxytocin nasal spray

DRUGPlacebo

Nasal solution without oxytocin

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Study staff and patients are blinded. The pharmacist is unblinded.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Males and females, 18-70 years old * BMI greater than or equal to 18.5 * BED as assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-RV) OR Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) - Binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration) (SCID-5-RV) OR Bulimia Nervosa (BN) through excessive exercise and/or fasting to avoid gaining weight after episodes of binge eating. For individuals with OSFED-BED, the frequency of subjective and objective binge eating episodes will meet the frequency (Criterion D) for BED.

Exclusion criteria

* Substance use disorder active within the last 6 months, or clinical suspicion of ongoing substance use disorder at the discretion of the study clinician at the time of screening based on history and/or laboratory results * Medication changes that have not reached steady state concentration, measured by the equivalent of 5 half-lives of that medication * Use of medications for binge eating disorder or weight loss unless at a stable dose for at least 12 weeks * History of any of the following medical conditions: inflammatory bowel disease or untreated thyroid disease * Uncontrolled epilepsy (as defined by a seizure within the last 12 months) * Clinically relevant ventricular arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, known long QTc, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy * Hematocrit \>2% below normal * Hemoglobin A1c \>8% * Use of insulin * ALT or AST \>2.5 times upper limit of normal * Glomerular filtration rate \< 60 mL/min * Hyponatremia. Note that, in order to be randomized, subjects must have Na ≥ 135 mEq/L. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Unwilling to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study period (female of child-bearing potential only) * History of psychosis or active suicidal ideation * Major depressive disorder likely to require initiation or change in active treatment * Borderline personality disorder as assessed by the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD) * Current nicotine use, unless stable use for at least 12 weeks. * Participation in any clinical study involving an investigational drug, device, or biologic within 1 month of randomization * Any significant illness, condition, or medication that the Investigator determines could interfere with study participation and impact data collection or subject safety

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Binge Frequency8 weeksChange in binge frequency as assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination clinical interview

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Reward sensitivity8 weeksPredictive value of 4-week change in reward sensitivity per the Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS) Anticipatory Experience of Pleasure subscale score for 8-week change in binge episodes. Higher scores=greater anticipatory pleasuure/less anhedonia. Minimum/Maximum: 10-60
Impulse control8 weeksPredictive value of 4 week change in impulse control per Stop-Signal Reaction time in a Stop-Signal Task for 8 week change in binge frequency

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTLauren Shabazian, NP
lshabazian@mgh.harvard.edu617-726-0047
CONTACTFrances Ross
fross2@mgh.harvard.edu617-726-0047
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORElizabeth A Lawson, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 15, 2026