Anorexia nervosa

This study compares two psychological treatments for adolescents aged 12-18 with anorexia nervosa: a new approach called Interoceptive Exposure Therapy (IE) versus standard Family Based Therapy (FBT). IE helps teens face food-related fears by pairing feared foods with positive ex…

This study aims to find out which parts of a relapse prevention treatment work best for people with anorexia nervosa after they leave the hospital. About 60 adults who have regained a healthy weight will take part. Researchers will track weight changes, eating habits, and motivat…

This study is testing whether a skin patch that delivers estrogen can help improve bone density in adult women with anorexia nervosa who have low bone mass. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the estrogen patch or a placebo patch for 18 months. The main goal…

This study is testing a type of family-based therapy for teenage girls with anorexia. The therapy involves the whole family in treatment. Researchers want to see if it helps girls recover and no longer meet the criteria for an eating disorder. Sixty participants are being recruit…

This study looks at whether a therapeutic ketogenic diet (a high-fat, low-carb diet) can normalize brain metabolism and reduce lingering eating disorder symptoms in people who have recovered from anorexia nervosa. About 90 participants, including healthy controls, will undergo br…

This study tests whether psilocybin, a psychedelic substance, given with psychological support is safe and helps reduce symptoms of anorexia nervosa in young adults aged 16 to 35. Participants receive two doses of psilocybin (25 mg) four weeks apart, plus therapy before, during, …

This study tests a 'Metabolic Diet' designed to help women with anorexia nervosa maintain a healthy weight after they have regained weight. Twenty adult women who recently reached a normal weight will follow the diet with a dietitian's help for 10 weeks. Researchers will monitor …

This study tests whether early, intensive day hospital treatment—with family involvement and multidisciplinary care—can improve outcomes for adolescents with anorexia nervosa compared to standard outpatient care. About 164 teens aged 12-18 with recent-onset anorexia will be enrol…

This study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called TMS can help people with mental illness quit smoking. Forty daily smokers with psychiatric conditions will receive either TMS or standard care. The goal is to see if TMS is practical and effective in real-…

This study looks at whether children aged 8-13 with early onset anorexia nervosa can be treated with a shorter hospital stay followed by day treatment (going home at night) instead of staying in the hospital full-time. The goal is to see if this approach works just as well for we…

This study tests whether a special blend of amino acids (protein building blocks) can help people with anorexia nervosa gain lean muscle mass during hospital treatment. 92 patients will receive either the supplement or a placebo, alongside standard therapy. The main goal is to se…

This study is testing whether two questionnaires (SCOFF-F and EDE-Q) can accurately detect eating disorders in pregnant women, separating them from normal pregnancy-related eating concerns. Researchers will compare answers from 50 pregnant women with and without diagnosed eating …

This study tests whether adding a mobile app and digital monitoring to standard group therapy can better prevent suicide risk in women with eating disorders. Researchers will compare two groups of 150 women aged 18-65 who have recently had suicidal thoughts or attempts. One group…

This study tests a program called SKILLS that focuses on common factors across different mental health conditions, rather than treating each disorder separately. About 60 adults with stable psychiatric diagnoses will take part. The goal is to see if this approach reduces symptoms…

This study tests whether a text message program that helps people reduce 'safety behaviors' (like checking mirrors or seeking reassurance) can lessen appearance anxiety, body dysmorphic symptoms, and related eating or social anxiety issues. About 300 adults with high appearance c…

This study tests whether a support group for siblings (ages 2-18) of teenagers with anorexia nervosa is acceptable and helpful. About 24 siblings will attend group sessions and fill out questionnaires about their experience and quality of life. The goal is to see if this kind of …

This study explores whether a 6-week creative writing program can help 10 teens and young adults (ages 16-25) with anorexia nervosa express themselves, reflect on their experiences, and build resilience. Participants will attend weekly workshops involving reading, writing, and gr…

This study tests a mobile app designed to help adults with eating disorders stay motivated and ready for treatment while they are on a waitlist. Participants will either use the app for four weeks or continue with standard waitlist care. The goal is to see if the app can prevent …

This study tests a virtual reality program for children under 14 with anorexia nervosa. Kids will view an avatar of themselves in a mirror, gradually increasing in size to a healthy weight, to reduce anxiety about gaining weight. The goal is to improve eating habits and body imag…

This study tests whether a virtual therapy guided by parents can help teens with anorexia nervosa while reducing long wait times for treatment. About 90 families will take part, with parents leading sessions using a structured program. The goal is to see if this approach eases sy…

This study tests two types of social therapy for young adults (ages 18-30) with eating disorders or anxiety. One group gets educational sessions about brain function and social processing; the other adds interactive art tasks done in teams. Researchers will track changes in eatin…

This study is testing an AI-powered chatbot called Exp-ED that guides teens and young adults through exposure therapy exercises to reduce anxiety about weight gain. Twenty participants in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders will use the app for six weeks. Resea…

This pilot study is testing a new type of talk therapy, called Exposure Therapy for Anorexia (Exp-AN), delivered virtually to 16 teenagers aged 14-17 with anorexia nervosa. The therapy helps teens identify and face their fears about gaining weight through real-life and mental exe…

This study is testing whether a virtual reality version of a therapy exercise is practical and helpful for adults (ages 18-65) with psychiatric disorders. Participants will try one VR session and answer questions about their experience. The goal is to see if this approach is acce…

This study is testing a type of talk therapy called Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT) delivered over video for people in New York who struggle with worry, overthinking, or being hard on themselves. The goal is to see if the therapy helps people better manage their emotions and fee…

This study tests a 6-week virtual program called the Diabetes Body Project 2, designed to prevent eating disorders in women aged 18-40 with type 2 diabetes. The program includes weekly group sessions and home exercises to improve body image and reduce disordered eating. Researche…

This study is testing whether a 6-session online program called Metacognitive Training for Eating Disorders (MCT-ED) is practical and acceptable for teenagers aged 13-19 with anorexia or atypical anorexia. The program helps teens recognize and change unhelpful thinking patterns r…

This study tests whether psilocybin, a psychedelic substance, can help young adults aged 18-25 with hard-to-treat anorexia nervosa. Participants receive two doses of psilocybin along with therapy sessions, and family members are also involved. The goal is to see if psilocybin inc…

This study tests whether a new 5-day outpatient therapy called Temperament Based Therapy with Support (TBT-S) can help reduce eating disorder symptoms in adults with anorexia nervosa. 120 participants will either receive TBT-S plus their usual care or usual care alone. Researcher…

This study looks at how well and how safely a new sleep medication, lemborexant, works for people who have both a mental health condition and trouble sleeping. About 121 adults will take the drug for 8 weeks, and researchers will track changes in their sleep quality and any side …

This pilot study tests whether a gentle electrical current applied to the back of the brain (cerebellum) can improve social behaviors and mental flexibility in 15 women and girls aged 15-30 with anorexia nervosa. Participants receive two types of stimulation (anodal and cathodal)…

This study tests whether sailing can help people with psychiatric disorders feel better. Forty adults in France will either take sailing lessons or continue their usual care. Researchers will measure changes in quality of life, mental well-being, and self-esteem to see if sailing…

This study tests whether metreleptin, a synthetic version of the hormone leptin, can help people with anorexia nervosa feel less depressed and gain weight. About 50 hospitalized patients will receive either metreleptin or a placebo, and researchers will track mood, weight, and br…

This study compares two types of talk therapy for teenagers with eating disorders: enhanced cognitive-behavior therapy and family-based treatment. About 200 adolescents will be randomly assigned to one of the two therapies. The goal is to see if cognitive-behavior therapy works a…

This early study tests a new therapy called PRIDE for sexual minority individuals (lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc.) who have an eating disorder. The therapy aims to reduce internalized stigma and improve coping with stress related to their identity. Thirty participants will attend u…

This study tests a new way to treat eating disorders by personalizing therapy based on each person's most troubling symptoms. Researchers use smartphone surveys to map individual symptom patterns, then match participants to specific therapy modules. The goal is to see if this tai…

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve before meals in teens and young adults (ages 14-22) with anorexia or similar eating disorders. Over 4 weeks, participants receive either real or sham stimulation to see if it boosts meal satisfaction, calorie …

This study tests whether adding a peer coach or parent coach to standard eating disorder therapy helps teens aged 12-18 recover faster. 70 participants will receive 12 weeks of therapy plus either a parent coach with patient education materials or patient coaching with parent edu…

This study compares two ways of weighing teens and young adults with eating disorders like anorexia: open weighing (where they see their weight and talk about fears) and blind weighing (where they don't see it). The goal is to see if open weighing reduces anxiety about weight gai…

This study tests whether two types of non-invasive brain stimulation—rTMS and tDCS—can improve symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Seventy participants in an inpatient setting will receive either active or sham (placebo) stimulation over 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in eat…

This study tests a remote behavioral therapy called PAT-AN for adults recovering from anorexia. The therapy focuses on enhancing the brain's reward response to non-food experiences, like hobbies or socializing, to reduce reliance on weight-loss behaviors. Participants will receiv…

This study tests whether a therapeutic ketogenic diet can reduce troubling eating disorder symptoms like the drive to restrict, binge, or purge, and body dissatisfaction. It includes adults with anorexia nervosa (both weight-recovered and underweight) and bulimia nervosa. Over 14…

This study is testing a smartphone app that uses brief surveys and phone sensor data to detect when someone with an eating disorder might be at higher risk for behaviors like binge eating, restricting food, or purging. The app then delivers short video lessons on coping skills. T…

This study investigates whether older adults with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) can still hear and enjoy the sound of a crunchy biscuit while eating. Researchers will compare a crunchy biscuit with a soft one in 100 seniors aged 65 and older, asking them if they hear the…

This study compares two ways to help adults with mental health issues get follow-up care. One group gets usual care after an emergency room visit, while the other uses a new system that books a psychiatrist appointment within 48 hours through their general doctor. Researchers wil…

This study looks at the mental health of 200 teenagers aged 12 to 16 who attend special educational institutes (ITEPs) in France. Researchers will use psychiatric interviews to find out how many have conditions like depression or anxiety. The goal is to better understand their ne…

This study aims to improve suicide prevention for people who move between healthcare and the criminal-legal system. Researchers will link health records, Medicaid data, and jail booking information to identify individuals at risk and coordinate care. Over 1,000 adults with past p…

This study takes a small blood sample from women with severe anorexia and healthy women, then turns those cells into brain-like neurons in a dish. Researchers will test how these neurons respond to hunger and fullness hormones. The goal is to uncover cellular differences that mig…

This study looks at how autistic people who also have anorexia nervosa differ in brain structure and behavior from autistic people without anorexia. Researchers want to understand if 'masking' (acting non-autistic to fit in) is linked to eating disorder symptoms and brain changes…

This study uses brain scans (fMRI) and computer tasks to understand how women with anorexia or bulimia nervosa learn to avoid certain situations. Researchers will compare brain activity in 78 women—26 with anorexia, 26 with bulimia, and 26 healthy controls—to see if avoidance lea…

This study uses brain scans (fMRI) to investigate how the brain processes 'liking', 'wanting', and learning in women with anorexia or bulimia. Researchers will compare 189 women with eating disorders to 63 healthy women, using computer tasks and a test meal. The goal is to unders…

This observational study looks at how people with different eating disorders—like ARFID, anorexia, and bulimia—think and process information. Researchers will use questionnaires and computer tasks to measure traits like cognitive flexibility and body perception. The goal is to be…

This study looks at specific fat molecules (sphingolipids) in the blood of women with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will compare these molecules between patients and healthy women, and see how they relate to hormone levels and mood. The goal is to find patterns that could lead to…

This study compares how people with anorexia nervosa, those who have recovered, and healthy controls metabolize food after eating a breakfast sandwich. Researchers aim to understand genetic and biochemical factors that influence food metabolism and anxiety around eating. The goal…

This study looks at how certain thinking patterns, called metacognitive beliefs, relate to eating disorders in teenagers. Researchers will compare 72 girls aged 12-17 who have an eating disorder with a similar group of girls without one. The goal is to understand if these thought…

This study will measure body composition, resting metabolism, and physical activity in 60 teenage girls with and without anorexia nervosa. Researchers want to see if simple body measurements can help define how advanced the disease is and guide recovery. The goal is to improve mo…

This study looks at young women with anorexia nervosa to see if changes in a gene related to appetite and wakefulness (the orexin gene) are linked to how severe their eating disorder is, whether they have depression, and how well they sleep. Researchers will compare these women t…

This study looks at whether a program with a nurse case manager can help people leaving prison visit a doctor or clinic instead of the emergency room. About 488 adults with a history of substance use and a chronic health condition will take part. Some will get extra support from …

This study investigates whether certain autoantibodies (anti-HIF1a) are more common in people with anorexia nervosa who also have liver damage. Researchers will compare 100 anorexia patients (with and without liver issues) to 150 control participants, including healthy individual…

This study tests whether combining a one-time session of brain stimulation (rTMS or electrical scalp stimulation) with emotion regulation training helps people with mood, anxiety, or related disorders better control their emotions. 240 participants will learn either cognitive res…

This study uses two special scanners (HR-pQCT and pQCT) to take detailed pictures of bone and muscle in 1,000 people with conditions that raise the risk of bone loss, like osteoporosis, arthritis, or kidney disease. The goal is to see if these scanners can spot tiny changes in bo…

This study uses a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to explore how it changes food choices and brain activity in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will give a single session of rTMS to 72 women aged 18-30 w…

This study tests whether offering three early phone calls and five online support group sessions to adults with eating disorders (like anorexia or bulimia) during their wait for specialized care can reduce the number of people who drop out before starting treatment. About 215 adu…

This study explores why some teenagers with anorexia urinate excessively when they start eating again in the hospital. Researchers think a hormone called secretin might be involved. They will compare secretin levels in teens who urinate a lot versus those who don't, using one ext…

This study follows 140 people who were first hospitalized for early-onset anorexia nervosa between 2016 and 2021. Researchers will check their physical and mental health 4 to 9 years later using questionnaires and medical records. The goal is to understand long-term recovery and …

This study explores whether fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) can improve gut health, thinking, and mood in people with anorexia nervosa. Twenty participants with restrictive-type anorexia will receive FMT capsules. The main goal is to see if the procedure is feasible and tolera…

This research study collects health information from 10,000 people with brain inflammation conditions like Long COVID, ME/CFS, and autoimmune diseases. Participants use a smartphone app to share symptoms, health history, and wearable data. The goal is to find disease subtypes and…

This study looks at how different front-of-pack nutrition labels—warning labels versus traffic light labels—affect food choices and negative emotions in people with eating disorders. Around 246 UK adults with a current or past eating disorder will make hypothetical food choices o…

This pilot study aims to see how common Barrett's esophagus is in people with eating disorders who have been purging (vomiting or ruminating) for at least 5 years. Researchers will use a simple, non-endoscopic device called EsoGuard to collect cell samples from the esophagus. The…

This study looks at how a temporary loss of control changes the way people with anorexia process information. Researchers think that focusing on small details (analytical thinking) might be a way to feel more in control. They will measure reaction times before and after a control…

This study aims to identify subgroups of people with diabetes who share similar patterns between their blood sugar levels and mental health. By using smartphone surveys and continuous glucose monitors, researchers will create 'digital twins'—virtual models that can predict how me…

This study tests whether functional MRI (fMRI) brain scans can detect changes caused by a single dose of naltrexone in adolescents aged 13-21 with eating disorders involving binge eating or purging. Participants receive both naltrexone and a placebo in random order, two weeks apa…

This study looks at the link between gut bacteria and mental health symptoms like anxiety and depression in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will compare 120 participants (patients with severe anorexia and healthy volunteers) to see if changes in gut bacteria, intestinal…

This study looks at the connection between gut bacteria, body fat changes, and fear of gaining weight in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will collect stool and blood samples from 60 women admitted for refeeding to analyze their gut microbiome. The goal is to find biomar…

This study takes gut bacteria from women with eating disorders (like anorexia or bulimia) and gives them to mice to see if the mice gain or lose weight differently. The goal is to understand if an unhealthy gut microbiome can influence body weight and eating behavior. It's a basi…

This study is creating a program called START-VET to help veterans with mental illness or substance use disorders who have recently left prison. Researchers will work with 20 veterans to develop transition materials and tools. The goal is to improve quality of life and reduce cri…

This study explores whether floating in a warm, saltwater tank (floatation-REST) while practicing mindfulness can reduce body image dissatisfaction in people with anorexia nervosa. 102 participants will be randomly assigned to either the floatation therapy or a control group watc…

This study follows about 185 patients with anorexia or bulimia during inpatient weight rehabilitation to see how their stomach and gut symptoms change over time. Researchers will compare three diet types—flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan—to find out which is linked to fewer dige…

This study follows 125 women with anorexia nervosa during and after intensive inpatient treatment to understand why relapse happens. Researchers will use brain imaging, genetic tests, and behavioral tasks to look for patterns. The goal is to find factors that help predict who sta…

This study looks at how multifamily therapy—where several families meet together—helps teenagers with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will interview teens, parents, and siblings who took part in the therapy at a Paris hospital. The goal is to understand how the therapy affects eati…

This study uses interviews to learn how adolescents with anorexia nervosa, their parents, and healthcare professionals experience psychotropic drugs. Researchers will talk to 90 participants to uncover their thoughts and feelings. The goal is to better understand the personal imp…

This study interviews 30 competitive athletes to learn what they believe causes and triggers eating disorders in sports. Half of the participants have had an eating disorder, and half have not. The goal is to compare their experiences and gather ideas on how to better prevent the…

This pilot study is testing whether a simple saliva test can help doctors prescribe mental health medications more safely and effectively. 200 adults in Manitoba who are starting or changing psychiatric drugs will provide a DNA sample. The results will be shared with their doctor…

This study looks at whether training psychiatric care teams to talk about sexual health with young patients (ages 15 and up) increases those conversations. Researchers will survey 770 teens hospitalized for psychiatric disorders about their sexual health and any side effects from…