Neurobiology of Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Bulimia Nervosa focused on measuring bulimia nervosa, binge eating, eating disorder, estrogen
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Participants will be women aged 18-42 with a current DSM-5 bulimia nervosa (BN) diagnosis who meet the below criteria. Only participants capable of giving informed consent and understanding the risks associated with the study will be enrolled.
- A regular menstrual cycle for at least three months
- < 35 BMI > 18.5
- Free of medication or medical condition that impacts ovarian hormones or is contraindicated for use with study interventions (including birth control pills)
- Speaks English
Exclusion Criteria
Patients will not be permitted to enter this protocol if they have any of the following:
- peanut allergy
- bipolar or psychotic disorder;
- current substance use disorder or frequent binge drinking behavior;
- frequent diuretic or laxative use, ipecac use;
- currently smoking > 10 cigarettes daily;
- history of a suicide attempt or current suicidal ideation;
- endometriosis;
- abnormal genital/vaginal bleeding;
- undiagnosed enlargement of the ovaries;
- liver disease;
- breast cancer;
- personal history of blood clots (a history of blood clots in the legs or lungs; DVT); pregnancy related blood clots
- history of seizures or epilepsy;
- porphyria;
- diabetes mellitus;
- malignant melanoma;
- gallbladder or pancreatic disease;
- heart or kidney disease;
- cerebrovascular disease (stroke);
- history of osteoporosis or osteopenia;
- recurrent migraine with aura;
- first degree relative (immediate family) with premenopausal breast cancer or breast cancer presenting in both breasts or any woman who has multiple family members (greater than three relatives) with postmenopausal breast cancer will also be excluded from participating in this protocol;
- Refusal to use non-hormonal contraception throughout study;
- Pregnant women will be excluded from participation (patients will be warned not to become pregnant during the study and will be advised to employ barrier contraceptive methods), and women who become pregnant (although unlikely because of the hormone manipulation) will be withdrawn;
- Any condition or symptoms considered by the study team to detrimentally impact subject safety.
Sites / Locations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Sequence A: estradiol followed by progesterone
Sequence B: progesterone followed by estradiol
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment Sequence A: after achieving hormone suppression using Lupron, participants begin the addback period and take study medications for 8 weeks. During the 8 week period, participants will take placebo or estradiol or progesterone. Participants will not know when or for how long they are on active medication (i.e., estradiol or progesterone) or inactive (i.e., placebo) medication. When active medication is administered, participants randomized to treatment sequence A will receive estradiol addback first, followed by progesterone. Estradiol and progesterone are never given simultaneously. Participants are on active medication for a total of 4 weeks.
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment Sequence B: after achieving hormone suppression using Lupron, participants begin the addback period and take study medications for 8 weeks. During the 8 week period, participants will take placebo or estradiol or progesterone. Participants will not know when or for how long they are on active medication (i.e., estradiol or progesterone) or inactive (i.e., placebo) medication. When active medication is administered, participants randomized to treatment sequence B will receive progesterone first followed by estradiol. Estradiol and progesterone are never given simultaneously. Participants are on active medication for a total of 4 weeks.