Driven by an insatiable craving, those affected stuff themselves with everything the refrigerator has to offer in no time at all. In a binge like this, they completely lose control of how much they eat. High-calorie and fatty foods are also preferred. Unlike bulimia, people with bulimia vomit binge eating disorder but not followingwards. This can lead to overweight and even obesity (obesity) in the long term.
The neurosurgeon Casey Halpern from the University of Pennsylvania and his team are currently describing a pilot study in the journal “Nature Medicine” in which they tested a promising treatment method for the disease. Two patients were able to regain their impulse control.
Tried in Parkinson’s
As part of the study, the scientists first determined how the brain activities differ in normal eating behavior, cravings and uncontrollable binge eating. Subsequently, the patients underwent a surgical procedure that enables the stimulation of certain areas of the brain with the help of an implant.
A method was used that deep brain stimulation is known and already used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. In the EU, the procedure is also used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders and epilepsy. Two electrodes are placed in the appropriate regions of the brain to stimulate them. In the case of binge eating disorder, this is intended to reduce the uncontrollable impulses and irrepressible craving for food.
The procedure was tested on two extremely overweight women aged 45 and 56. After six months, both binge eating had decreased significantly and both had already lost weight. The researchers were no longer able to identify any signs of binge eating in one patient. The brain stimulation did not lead to any unwanted side effects.
improve quality of life
According to the authors of the study, such treatment can also sustainably increase the quality of life of those affected, because many who suffer from the eating disorder are severely restricted in their social life. Out of shame, they often eat alone and hide the illness from friends and acquaintances.
The method is now to be tested in a study with more subjects. Experts already see it as promising. According to lead author Halpern, eating disorders are often not treated holistically, which is why
invasive procedures such as gastric bands are rarely successful. With the use of so-called brain pacemakers, more effective treatment methods are now in prospect.
