Can retraining the Brain's food cues help teens with anorexia?

NCT ID NCT05763849

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

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 experiences, while parents learn to support this at home. The goal is to see which therapy better helps teens reach a healthy body weight and reduces the impairment caused by the eating disorder, with follow-up for one year after treatment ends.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Interoceptive Exposure Therapy (behavioral therapy)

What this could lead to

If this therapy works, it could offer a new, more effective psychological treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, helping them achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

What could go wrong

This is a relatively small trial (120 participants) comparing two behavioral therapies, so results may not apply to all patients. The therapy requires active participation and may not work for everyone.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anorexia nervosa

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Department of Psychiatry, Eating and Weight Disorders Program

    RECRUITING

    New York, New York, 10028, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact