Research Centre: Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre
Location: Level 4, 607 St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004
Lead Researcher: Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM
HREC: This study has been reviewed and approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee

Are there new options that could make living with anorexia easier? The Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre is exploring treatments that could help improve the quality of life for those facing this challenging condition.

By examining their effects on thoughts, mood, and eating disorder symptoms, researchers hope to bring a compassionate perspective to treatment options that are often limited. These findings could transform approaches to care, providing new avenues of support for individuals and families.

Interested? Join this study!

• Participants may receive a new potential treatment for anorexia at no cost. They may receive either a placebo or any of the study medications.
• Participants will have the opportunity to work closely with a multidisciplinary team, receiving support from experts including a psychiatry registrar, psychologist, medical officer, clinical trial coordinators, a dietician, and a consultant psychiatrist in eating disorders.
• Participants will be reimbursed $20 per on-site visit to assist with any reasonable travel, parking, meals and other expenses associated with the visit. Reimbursement will only be provided to eligible participants who complete study visits.
• Participants may experience improvements in their anorexia symptoms. 
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those struggling with anorexia in the future.
• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged 18 and above and mature minors aged 16 and 17, who are diagnosed with or are experiencing symptoms associated with anorexia nervosa or atypical anorexia nervosa
• Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding
• Must be able to attend 5 study visits at the research site over approximately 3 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety but some details are:

• Participants will be asked to complete various health assessments, including blood tests, urine tests, ECGs, and physical exams, to monitor their health and eligibility throughout the study.
• Participants will be asked to complete detailed questionnaires, interviews, and cognitive tasks to gather information on their demographic data, medical history, psychological symptoms, quality of life, and readiness for change.
• Participants will be asked to provide optional biological samples (such as blood and saliva) for future genetic analyses if they consent to the psychiatric bio-databank study.

Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre

Founded in 1994, the Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre is a world-class, translational clinical research and academic centre based on St Kilda Road in Melbourne. Their mission is to research and trial potential new and innovative potential treatments for serious mental illness so that more people with mental ill health can recover and thrive in work, love and life.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.