A Pilot Test of Mood and Circadian Rhythm Mechanisms Driving Binge Eating

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Eating Disorder, Binge Eating, Circadian Dysregulation

In brief

Mood and circadian rhythm disruptions are associated with binge eating (BE). BE is a discrete, episodic behavior characterized by 1) eating an objectively large amount of food and 2) experiencing a subjective sense of loss of control. BE episodes are often preceded by negative mood states, and a subtype of individuals with BE has high levels of negative moods. This group has more comorbid psychopathology and a poorer response to treatment. Thus, understanding the role of negative mood is a critical area for research on BE. Individuals with BE demonstrate disruptions in several circadian rhythms, including diurnal meal timing, hormone patterns (e.g., daily cortisol rhythms), and mood variations. The most potent synchronizer of circadian rhythms is light. Thus, exposure to light may explain other phenomena that fluctuate similarly, such as mood and the occurrence of BE. Mood is subject to the influence of light, and BE is also influenced by exposure to bright light. It is unknown whether regulating circadian rhythms via regular exposure to light improves BE through its effects on mood or via changes in other biological or behavioral rhythms. This knowledge can inform the development of treatments targeting biobehavioral mechanisms that maintain BE and indicate for whom this may be most effective. This project aims to test the roles of negative mood and circadian rhythms in the relationship between light exposure and BE and identify subtypes of individuals in whom this effect is strong. The investigators hypothesize that individuals exposed to less natural bright light will experience more frequent BE, more negative mood, and a blunted morning cortisol response. The investigators further hypothesize that manipulating exposure to artificial bright light will reduce the frequency of BE and negative mood and increase the morning cortisol response. Finally, the investigators hypothesize that the effects of this artificial bright light exposure on BE frequency will be mediated by changes in negative mood, which itself will be accounted for by changes in circadian rhythms as indicated by the morning cortisol response. Additionally, the investigators have two moderation hypotheses: that the effects of artificial bright light exposure on BE will be greater for those who fit the high negative mood type than those who do not and that the effects will be greater for individuals with a blunted morning cortisol response at baseline than for those without.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03680989

Run by

University of Wyoming

People needed

35

Starts

2019-02-15

Expected to finish

2020-03-15

Last updated by the study team

2020-11-04

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Female sex
• Age of at least 18 years
• Minimally normal body weight (BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m2)
• Clinically significant binge eating (i.e., ≥ 2 binge-eating episodes/week over the previous 3 months
• Clinically significant eating disorder-related impairment (indicated by a score of > 16 on the Clinical Impairment Assessment)

You may not qualify if…

• Receiving psychotherapy or psychotropic medication for the 6 weeks prior to study entry.
• Presence of medical conditions or medications that result in changes in hormone function, weight or appetite.
• Lifetime presence of bipolar disorder.

Where it is running

• University of Wyoming — Laramie, Wyoming, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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