Study suggests more effective treatment for binge eating than CBT
There's a better way of treating binge eating disorder, a new study argues.
The method, called "regulation of cues," reduced patients' odds of binge eating by 20% compared to those who got standard cognitive-behavioral therapy, researchers reported Aug. 4 in JAMA Network Open.
"The study showed that our treatment could reduce binge eating more than standard therapy even after the six-month follow up," researcher Kerri Boutelle, a professor of pediatrics at the University of California-San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, said in a news release.
Regulation of cues helps people by teaching them to become more attuned to the signals sent by their body when they are naturally hungry or full, researchers said in background notes.
Many people with eating disorders have lost touch with these signals or tend to ignore them.
The therapy also helps people learn to distinguish between true physical hunger and cravings driven by emotions, and also to resist the temptation posed by foods that can trigger overeating.
For this new study, researchers recruited 129 overweight or obese veterans being treated by the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. All the vets either had binge eating disorder or were at high risk.
Binge eating -- uncontrollably consuming large amounts of food -- is common among military veterans, affecting 65% of female and 45% of male vets, researchers said. Military service frequently requires people to eat on the run or go without food, putting veterans at greater risk for binge eating.
The first-line treatment for binge eating is cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which people normalize their eating habits and address thoughts and behaviors that contribute to binging, researchers said.
But CBT doesn't result in meaningful or lasting weight loss, researchers noted.
Researchers randomly assigned 63 of the patients to undergo regulation-of-cues therapy alongside a weight-loss program that included calorie monitoring and exercise. The rest received standard CBT.
Those who received regulation-of-cues therapy had a lower risk of binge eating, and also lost a greater amount of weight after five months, results show. However, the weight differences did not last longer.
"These findings suggest that targeting how individuals respond to food cues, rather than just focusing on eating behaviors or thoughts, may offer a more effective and lasting treatment for binge eating," Boutelle said. "But more research is needed on the effects on weight."
More information
The University of California-San Diego has more on regulation-of-cues therapy.
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All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the potential of azenosertib; our anticipated milestones and the timing thereof, including the anticipated timing of clinical data disclosures; the potential to advance research on additional areas of opportunity for azenosertib outside PROC; our anticipated cash runway; the potential for azenosertib to be first-in-class and best-in-class; the broad franchise potential of azenosertib; the planned design of our clinical trials, including DENALI Part 2; maintaining momentum and remaining on track relating to the execution of DENALI; our planned clinical development strategy and regulatory strategy for azenosertib and the timing thereof, including the potential for DENALI Part 2 to support an accelerated approval; and our expectation to not incur further non-recurring expenses associated with the restructuring. The terms 'advance,' 'anticipated,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'design,' 'expect,' 'opportunity,' 'potential,' 'runway,' 'target,' and 'will' and similar references are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following: our limited operating history, which may make it difficult to evaluate our current business and predict our future success and viability; we have and expect to continue to incur significant losses; our need for additional funding, which may not be available; our substantial dependence on the success of azenosertib; our plans, including the costs thereof, of development of companion diagnostics; the outcome of preclinical testing and early trials may not be predictive of the success of later clinical trials; failure to identify additional product candidates and develop or commercialize marketable products; potential unforeseen events during clinical trials could cause delays or other adverse consequences; risks relating to the regulatory approval process or ongoing regulatory obligations; failure to obtain U.S. or international marketing approval; our product candidates may cause serious adverse side effects; inability to maintain our collaborations, or the failure of these collaborations; our reliance on third parties; effects of significant competition; the possibility of system failures or security breaches; risks relating to intellectual property; our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, and risks relating to management transitions; significant costs as a result of operating as a public company; and the other important factors discussed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our most recently filed periodic report on Form 10-K or 10-Q and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and our other filings with the SEC. Any such forward-looking statements represent management's estimates as of the date of this press release. While we may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we disclaim any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause our views to change. ZENTALIS® and its associated logo are trademarks of Zentalis and/or its affiliates. All website addresses and other links in this press release are for information only and are not intended to be an active link or to incorporate any website or other information into this press release. Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 License Revenue $ — $ — $ — $ 40,560 Operating Expenses Research and development 27,610 48,386 54,857 97,971 General and administrative 8,448 16,762 19,028 32,502 Restructuring — — 7,796 — Total operating expenses 36,058 65,148 81,681 130,473 Loss from Operations (36,058 ) (65,148 ) (81,681 ) (89,913 ) Other Income (Expense) Investment and other income (expense), net 9,184 (22,863 ) 6,528 12,085 Net loss before income taxes (26,874 ) (88,011 ) (75,153 ) (77,828 ) Income tax expense — 266 — 409 Net loss (26,874 ) (88,277 ) (75,153 ) (78,237 ) Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — (28 ) Net loss attributable to Zentalis $ (26,874 ) $ (88,277 ) $ (75,153 ) $ (78,209 ) Net loss per share outstanding, basic and diluted $ (0.37 ) $ (1.24 ) $ (1.05 ) $ (1.10 ) Common shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted 71,992 71,040 71,836 70,969 Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Data (Unaudited) (In thousands) As of June 30, As of December 31, 2025 2024 Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 303,431 $ 371,084 Working capital(1) 272,574 333,341 Total assets 351,707 430,337 Total liabilities 77,212 93,151 Total Zentalis equity $ 274,495 $ 337,186 (1)The Company defines working capital as current assets less current liabilities. Contact: Aron FeingoldVP, Investor Relations & Corporate Communicationsir@
