tDCS in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An experimental sham-controlled crossover study of prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
IRAS ID
141428
Contact name
Maria Kekic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are serious psychiatric disorders associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although the treatment experience of individuals with these eating disorders (EDs) is highly variable, overall recovery rates are relatively low; thus highlighting the need for novel strategies.
Evidence indicates that the control of eating is associated with neural networks in the prefrontal cortex that are also involved in self-regulatory processes. A deficiency in these networks might therefore contribute to the aetiology of EDs. Indeed, several studies have shown that direct manipulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce ED-related thoughts and behaviours in both healthy and clinical samples. An alternative neuromodulation technique – transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) – has been shown to suppress food cravings in healthy participants by several research groups including our own, but is yet to be trialled in individuals with AN or BN.
The proposed investigation primarily aims to establish whether a single session of sham-controlled tDCS will reduce ED-related thoughts and behaviours in individuals with AN and in individuals with BN.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0025
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion