Reserach increasing understanding of Binge Eating Disorder

Advancements in the field of eating disorder research are leading to greater understanding of these mental health diseases as well as more efficient treatment methods.   Recently, researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have explored the role of a cellular protein in the regulation of binge eating.  Experiments from this group of researchers have demonstrated that neurobiological causes may contribute to the development of binge eating.  These findings are particularly important in that they will allow for newer therapeutic treatments intended specifically for binge eating disorder.  For a serious mental health disorder that is still being understood, research findings such as these could be monumental for binge eating disorder suffers who are seeking effective and helpful treatment.  To learn more about this research study, please read this article. 

If you or a loved one has struggled with Binge Eating Disorder, what treatments have you felt were most therapeutic or helpful in recovery?

New Treatment For Binge Eating Disorder

  An encouraging new treatment for binge eating disorder was announced on May 3, 2012 with exciting preliminary results in the Phase II clinical trial. An opioid antagonist nasal spray has been created by the Lightlake Therapeutics Inc. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, six month Phase II trial enrolled 127 subjects for the treatment of BED (binge eating disorder). The behavior had little change in the beginning of the study, however, the effect of the nasal spray created an extinction curve over time where the benefits improved. Dr. Roger Crystal, M.D., CEO of Lightlake Therapeutics Inc. states “Lightlake is committed to research that can help us advance our treatment of BED and other addictive behavior disorders that affect millions of individuals worldwide. The data provides further evidence that Naloxone may also be a promising treatment for Bulimia Nervosa.” To read further on this thrilling research, read the attached article.


Hannah Chase
Intern at Eating Disorder Hope