Trial Information

Summary: Sertraline in the Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder in Overweight Children and Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to examine whether the medication sertraline (Zoloft) is effective in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) among overweight children and adolescents. Sertraline is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, but not approved for the treatment of BED. Study volunteers will be given sertraline for a period of 12 weeks; subjects who want to continue treatment with sertraline at the close of the study will be given a referral to an outside physician for continued treatment. Assessments included in the study are: a psychiatric and medical evaluation, lab tests (routine blood test, urinalysis, urine drug screen, vital signs, electrocardiogram (EKG), pregnancy test (females only).) Participants will be closely monitored throughout the study by a psychiatrist. GCO#: 01-0429
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Patient Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:

Study volunteers should be 8-18 yrs old; have a clinical diagnosis of binge eating disorder currently and for at least 6 months prior to study entry; be overweight as compared to others of same sex, height and age; should be physically healthy without any serious medical, psychiatric, or neurological illnesses other than BED; have the ability to communicate meaningfully with the investigators and be competent to provide written assent; have parental consent and be English speaking.

Study volunteers should not be on any antidepressants (such as Elavil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Anafranil, Norpramin, Luvox, Paxil, Prozac and Effexor), busipirone (Buspar), lithium, or herbal preparations with alleged psychiatric effects (such as St. Johns Wort). Please contact the Study Coordinator below for further exclusion criteria.

If you would like to learn more about participating in this study, please send an e-mail message using the form below.