A Study of the Effects of Oxytocin in Adults With Binge-eating Disorder

Recruiting now · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Binge-eating Disorder

In brief

This study evaluates the impact of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo in patients with binge eating disorder or episodes of binging. We hypothesize that 8 weeks of intranasal oxytocin vs placebo will improve clinical outcomes \[reduction in bingeing frequency\], and have a satisfactory safety and tolerability profile. We will also explore the predictive value of changes in homeostatic appetite, reward sensitivity, and impulse control, the identified underlying mediators, as assessed 4 weeks into the intervention, for treatment success after 8 weeks of the intervention.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05664516

Run by

Massachusetts General Hospital

People needed

60

Starts

2023-03-07

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-05-28

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Males and females, 18-70 years old
• BMI greater than or equal to 18.5
• BED as assessed by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5-RV) OR Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) - Binge-eating disorder (of low frequency and/or limited duration) (SCID-5-RV) OR Bulimia Nervosa (BN) through excessive exercise and/or fasting to avoid gaining weight after episodes of binge eating. For individuals with OSFED-BED, the frequency of subjective and objective binge eating episodes will meet the frequency (Criterion D) for BED.

You may not qualify if…

• Substance use disorder active within the last 6 months, or clinical suspicion of ongoing substance use disorder at the discretion of the study clinician at the time of screening based on history and/or laboratory results
• Medication changes that have not reached steady state concentration, measured by the equivalent of 5 half-lives of that medication
• Use of medications for binge eating disorder or weight loss unless at a stable dose for at least 12 weeks
• History of any of the following medical conditions: inflammatory bowel disease or untreated thyroid disease
• Uncontrolled epilepsy (as defined by a seizure within the last 12 months)
• Clinically relevant ventricular arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, known long QTc, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Hematocrit >2% below normal
• Hemoglobin A1c >8%
• Use of insulin
• ALT or AST >2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min
• Hyponatremia. Note that, in order to be randomized, subjects must have Na ≥ 135 mEq/L.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Unwilling to use a medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study period (female of child-bearing potential only)
• History of psychosis or active suicidal ideation
• Major depressive disorder likely to require initiation or change in active treatment
• Borderline personality disorder as assessed by the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD)
• Current nicotine use, unless stable use for at least 12 weeks.
• Participation in any clinical study involving an investigational drug, device, or biologic within 1 month of randomization
• Any significant illness, condition, or medication that the Investigator determines could interfere with study participation and impact data collection or subject safety

Where it is running

• Neuroendocrine Unit Research Center — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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