Mariana Lopes
Slide 1
Hello, I'm Dr Marina Lopes from King's College London. I work on eating disorders and in the ENTER
study we collaborated with the psychosis group to apply interventions used on binge eating treatment
to address weight gain caused by antipsychotic medication.
Slide 2
As we know, weight gain due to antipsychotics can reduce the quality of life and even lead to patients
discontinuing their medication. This highlights the need for effective interventions to help manage
eating behaviours and food cravings in this group.
Slide 3
One novel approach is Approach Bias Modification Training (ABM). This is a computer-based
intervention designed to retrain automatic responses towards food. It works like a gym for the brain:
participants push away images of high-calorie foods using a joystick, training them to avoid
approaching high-calorie food. Studies have shown that approach bias modification training can
reduce cravings, shift attention away from food cues, and even lower binge eating symptoms. We are
also exploring Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). TDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation
technique that targets the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a key region involved in self-
regulation and impulse control. TDCS has been shown to reduce food cravings and improve eating
behaviours in individuals with binge eating disorder and obesity. The stimulation is quick, mild and
well-tolerated.
Slide 4
In the treatment of binge eating disorder, we are exploring cognitive training and brain stimulation to
reduce food cravings and binge eating episodes. Approach Bias modification training is a form of
cognitive training. It works like a gym for the brain, helping individuals to avoid high calorie foods.
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a mild brain stimulation technique that targets the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the DLPFC, a region associated with control of eating via mood, reward
valuation, attention and inhibitory control.
The ENTER study was a feasibility randomised controlled trial that combined cognitive training with
brain stimulation to help reduce food cravings and binge eating episode in people taking antipsychotic
medication. By integrating these approaches, we aim to be able to offer better support for individuals
on antipsychotic treatment and improve their long term physical and mental health outcomes. I look
forward to sharing our results with you during my poster session. Thank you.
