Olanzapine vs. Placebo for Outpatients with Anorexia Nervosa
This study aims to examine whether or not the medication olanzapine may be helpful in treating anorexia nervosa as measured by psychological improvement and weight restoration. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either olanzapine or placebo for 16 weeks, during which time participants will come in to the clinic weekly to complete questionnaires and meet with a physician. They will then be followed for another 8 weeks.
Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (Inpatient Study)
After restoring weight on our inpatient unit, we offer two psychotherapies newly adapted for Anorexia Nervosa. Exposure Therapy and Response Prevention is a type of psychotherapy commonly used to treat anxiety disorders such as OCD and social phobia. Cognitive Remediation Therapy is an intervention that helps people think about HOW they think, as opposed to WHAT they think, and has been used successfully for a range of cognitive difficulties. In this study, each patient receives both treatments during the inpatient stay. Which treatment is provided first is decided by chance. We are evaluating whether these psychotherapies help patients to use healthy eating behaviors.
Sweetener Use in Eating Disorders
This study examines both liking and motivation for access to artificial sweeteners in people with eating disorders. Participants are asked to taste a series of beverages sweetened with aspartame and then "work" at a computer task for access to sweetener packets.
Neurocognition in Anorexia Nervosa
This study is examining behaviors that appear to be habit-like in anorexia nervosa. Participants are asked to complete a series of games and puzzles, including activities that involve computers and blocks.
Physical Activity in Anorexia Nervosa
This study examines the level and importance of physical activity in inpatients with anorexia nervosa. Participants are asked to wear activity monitors to measure physical activity, and complete a computer task to assess motivation for access to exercise., both before and after weight gain. A DXA scan is used to measure body composition. Follow up interviews are conducted periodically for a year after hospital discharge.
A Neurobiological Investigation of Anorexia Nervosa using PET Imaging
The aim of this study is to investigate the neurobiology of anorexia nervosa in inpatients compared to individuals without an eating disorder. This study involves an MRI scan and one PET scan near the beginning of hospitalization, and one MRI scan and two PET scans after weight normalization. In between the two PET scans at normal weight, participants will take one dose of the medication Ritalin which is commonly used to treat attention deficit disorder. The goal is to investigate potential differences in dopamine levels between patients with anorexia nervosa and healthy control subjects.
Eating and Anxiety in Anorexia Nervosa
This study is part of an ongoing investigation of the relationship
between anxiety and eating behavior in Anorexia Nervosa. Participants
will be asked to participate in two laboratory based lunch meals on two
different days within a one week period. On both days, participants
will be given a standard dose of either placebo or an anxiety reducing
medication (alprazolam), but neither participants nor the researchers
conducting the study would know which the subject was given on which
day.
Sensitivity to Fat Taste in Anorexia Nervosa
This study tests whether people with anorexia nervosa are better able to distinguish the fat content of foods as compared with healthy controls. Paticipants are asked to taste and make ratings of a series of small samples of cream cheese with varying fat content, to determine ability to discriminate among them.
For more information on any of the above, call (212) 543-5739
