ANOREXIA NERVOSA

This study tests whether a special 'Metabolic Diet' can help women who have recently recovered from anorexia nervosa maintain a healthy weight and avoid relapse. Twenty adult women who have been weight-restored within the past 6 months will work with a dietitian to follow the die…

This study tests a new 5-day outpatient program called Temperament Based Therapy with Support (TBT-S) for adults with anorexia nervosa. Researchers want to see if adding TBT-S to standard care helps reduce eating disorder symptoms more than standard care alone. About 120 particip…

This study looks at whether starting intensive day hospital treatment early for teenagers with anorexia nervosa leads to better health outcomes than standard outpatient care. About 164 teens aged 12-18 and their families will take part. The goal is to reduce hospital visits and i…

This study looks at whether a 14-week ketogenic (high-fat, low-carb) diet can help normalize brain activity and reduce lingering eating disorder thoughts in people who have already regained weight from anorexia. About 90 participants (including healthy controls) will have brain s…

This study looks at whether a technique called 'open weighing'—where patients see their weight during treatment—can reduce anxiety about weight gain in teens and young adults with eating disorders like anorexia. About 70 participants will be randomly assigned to open weighing or …

This study tests whether virtual reality can help children under 14 with anorexia nervosa feel less anxious about gaining weight. Kids will view an avatar of themselves in a mirror, gradually increasing in size to a healthy weight. The goal is to reduce fear and improve eating ha…

This study tests a 24-week remote therapy for adults with anorexia who recently completed intensive treatment. Participants receive either a therapy focused on improving positive emotions and reward processing or standard education and behavioral support. The goal is to see if th…

This study tests whether psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can help young adults aged 18-25 with hard-to-treat anorexia nervosa. Participants receive two doses (20mg and up to 25mg) along with counseling sessions. Family members also join some sessions to prov…

This study is testing a new type of talking therapy called Metacognitive Training for Eating Disorders (MCT-ED) in 14 teenagers with anorexia or atypical anorexia. The goal is to see if teens find the therapy helpful and acceptable, and if it's possible to run a larger study in t…

This study tests whether a group program for siblings (ages 8-18) of teens with anorexia nervosa is helpful and well-liked. About 24 siblings will attend group sessions and fill out questionnaires about how acceptable the program is and how it affects their quality of life. The g…

This study tests whether a therapeutic ketogenic diet (low-carb, high-fat) can reduce harmful eating behaviors like the urge to restrict, binge, or purge, and improve mood and body image. It includes 20 adults with anorexia (weight-recovered or underweight) or bulimia. Participan…

This study explores whether a six-week creative writing program can help teens and young adults (ages 16-25) with anorexia nervosa express themselves and build emotional strength. Participants will read stories, write their own, and share in group discussions. The goal is to see …

This study tests a non-invasive device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve before meals in teens and young adults with anorexia. Over 4 weeks, researchers will see if it helps them eat more, feel less full, and reduce anxiety compared to a sham device. The goal is to make refe…

This study tests two types of non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS and rTMS) to see if they can reduce eating disorder symptoms and improve mood in people with anorexia nervosa. About 70 inpatients will receive either real or sham (fake) stimulation over 8 weeks, and be followed …

This study tests whether a special blend of amino acids can help people with anorexia nervosa gain lean body mass during hospital treatment. About 92 patients will receive either the amino acid supplement or a placebo, alongside standard therapy. The goal is to see if the supplem…

This small pilot study is testing whether a gentle, non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, applied to the cerebellum, can help women and children (ages 15–30) with anorexia nervosa. The goal is to see if it improves social behaviors, like feeling left out or trusti…

This study is creating and testing a friendly AI chatbot that talks with teens and young adults (ages 12-26) who have eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. The chatbot is used alongside their regular treatment to help them feel less scared about gaining weight. About 20 peop…

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 adults will receive either metreleptin or a placebo, and researchers will track mood, weight, and brai…

This pilot study tests a virtual exposure therapy for 16 teens aged 14-17 with anorexia nervosa. The therapy helps them face fears about weight gain through exercises like weighing themselves and reading fear scripts. Parents join sessions as supporters. The goal is to reduce anx…

This study tests a new type of therapy for people with anorexia nervosa that helps them face their fears about eating and gaining weight. Participants will do real-life and mental exercises, like eating a feared food while listening to a recording about weight gain fears. The goa…

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 looks at body composition, resting energy use, and physical activity in 60 teenage girls with anorexia nervosa compared to normal-weight teens. Researchers want to find the best measurements to define how far the disease has progressed. The goal is to improve monitorin…

This study follows about 185 people with anorexia or bulimia during a multi-week inpatient weight rehabilitation program. Researchers track how stomach and bowel symptoms change over time and whether a flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan diet affects those symptoms. The goal is to …

This study looks at specific fat molecules (sphingolipids) in the blood of women over 18 with anorexia nervosa. Researchers want to see if these molecules relate to hormone levels, mood, and eating disorder severity. The goal is to find new ways to personalize diet plans and impr…

This study looks at how the brain handles avoidance learning in women with anorexia or bulimia nervosa compared to healthy women. Researchers will use brain imaging (fMRI) and computer tasks to see differences in brain activity. The goal is to better understand the thinking patte…

This study listens to the experiences of adolescents with anorexia nervosa, their parents, and healthcare professionals regarding psychotropic medications. Through interviews, researchers aim to understand perceptions and feelings without any preconceived ideas. No treatment is g…

This study looks at brain cells made from blood samples of women with anorexia nervosa and healthy women. Researchers want to see if these cells react differently to hormones that control hunger and energy. No treatment is given—just a single blood draw and basic health check. Th…

This study looks at how people with certain eating disorders think and process information. Researchers will compare adults with ARFID, anorexia, or bulimia to healthy volunteers using questionnaires and computer tasks. The goal is to learn more about mental flexibility, body per…

This study is testing whether fecal microbiome transplants (FMT) can help people with anorexia nervosa by changing their gut bacteria. The researchers want to see if this treatment is safe and tolerable for 20 adults with anorexia. They will also look at how FMT affects thinking,…

This study looks at how people with anorexia nervosa perceive their bodies and whether improving body awareness can reduce body image distress. About 102 participants will try either floatation therapy or watch videos, both combined with mindfulness training. The goal is to under…

This study aims to identify subgroups of people with diabetes who share similar patterns in how their blood sugar and mental health are linked. By using smartphone surveys and continuous glucose monitors, researchers will collect detailed data from over 1,800 participants over tw…

This study looks at how the brain processes pleasure, desire, and learning in women with anorexia or bulimia. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) and computer tasks to compare 252 women with eating disorders to healthy controls. The goal is to understand the brain differences…

This study aims to understand how a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) affects food choices in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will study 72 women aged 18-30 who are hospitalized for anorexia. The goal is …

This study looks at how feeling a loss of control might change the way people with anorexia think. Researchers want to see if this leads to a more analytical thinking style, which is common in anorexia. The goal is to better understand the disorder and improve treatments. About 5…

This study looks at how people with anorexia nervosa break down food compared to healthy individuals. Researchers will measure changes in metabolism and food-related anxiety after a meal. The goal is to find biological clues that could lead to more effective treatments. The study…

This study looks at how multi-family therapy works for teenagers with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will interview teens, parents, and siblings who took part in group therapy sessions to understand what helps. The goal is to improve future treatments by learning from their experi…

This study looks at a specific gene change (methylation) in women with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy women. Researchers want to see if these changes are linked to how severe the eating disorder is, as well as depression and sleep problems. The goal is to better understand …

This study looks at how changes in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) might be linked to anxiety, depression, and eating disorder symptoms in people with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will compare 120 participants—including patients with severe anorexia and healthy volunteers—using questio…

This study is collecting health information from up to 10,000 people with 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 better understand these illnesses and help…

This study looks at why some women with anorexia nervosa get better after hospital treatment while others relapse. Researchers will use brain scans, thinking tests, and blood samples to find clues. The goal is to better understand the disease and improve future treatments.

This study looks at how gut bacteria might influence fear of weight gain and changes in body fat in women with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will collect stool and blood samples from 60 women admitted for refeeding. The goal is to find patterns in gut microbes that could help imp…

This study follows young people who were hospitalized for anorexia nervosa between 2016 and 2021 to understand their long-term recovery. Researchers will check in with 140 former patients 4-9 years after their hospital stay to see how they're doing physically and mentally. The st…