ANOREXIA NERVOSA

This study looks at whether starting intensive day hospital treatment early for teenagers with anorexia nervosa can improve their health and reduce the need for emergency care or hospitalization. It involves 164 teens aged 12-18 and their families. The goal is to see if this appr…

This study looks at whether a 14-week ketogenic diet can normalize brain metabolism and reduce lingering eating disorder thoughts in people who have already regained weight from anorexia nervosa. About 90 participants will have brain scans and assessments before and after the die…

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 is testing a new type of training called Metacognitive Training for Eating Disorders (MCT-ED) in 14 teenagers aged 13-19 with anorexia or atypical anorexia. The training helps them change unhelpful thinking patterns. The goal is to see if teens find it useful and accep…

This study tests whether a therapeutic ketogenic diet (high fat, low carb) can reduce persistent eating disorder symptoms like drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and mood issues. It includes adults with anorexia nervosa (weight-recovered or underweight) and bulimia nervosa…

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

This small pilot study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called tDCS, applied to the cerebellum, can improve social behaviors and mental flexibility in 15 women and girls (ages 15-30) with anorexia nervosa. Participants will receive the stimulation while pl…

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 creating meal plans. Parents are involved as supporters. The goal is to reduce anxie…

This study tests two remote therapies for adults with anorexia who recently completed intensive treatment. Participants receive 24 weeks of either Positive Affect Treatment or standard psychoeducation via teletherapy. The goal is to see if targeting reward mechanisms helps mainta…

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

This study tests a virtual reality program for children under 14 with anorexia nervosa. The program gradually shows children a healthy-weight avatar of themselves in a mirror to reduce anxiety about gaining weight. Researchers hope this approach can improve eating habits and body…

This study tests a non-invasive device that stimulates the vagus nerve before meals in 30 people aged 14–22 with anorexia or similar eating disorders. The goal is to see if it reduces fullness, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms while increasing calorie intake and satisfaction…

This study looks at whether teaching people about social skills or having them do a group art project can improve eating disorder and anxiety symptoms. About 60 people aged 18-30 with an eating disorder or anxiety will attend 8 therapy sessions over 12 weeks. Researchers will com…

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, and share in small groups. The goal is to see if this approac…

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 is testing a new AI-powered chatbot that helps teens and young adults with eating disorders feel less anxious about gaining weight. About 20 people will use the chatbot as an extra tool during their first six weeks in a treatment program. Researchers will check if the …

This study looks at whether a technique called 'open weighing'—where patients see their weight during treatment—can help teens and young adults with eating disorders feel less anxious about gaining weight. About 70 participants aged 12 to 24 will be randomly assigned to either op…

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 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 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 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 why some women with anorexia nervosa get better after hospital treatment but then relapse. Researchers will use brain scans, thinking tests, and blood samples to find clues. 125 women with anorexia and 100 healthy women will take part. The goal is to understan…

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 how the therapy helps with symptoms, family relationships, and group dynamics. The…

This study aims to identify subgroups of people with diabetes who share similar patterns in how their blood sugar and mental health (like distress, anxiety, or eating disorders) are linked. Over 1,800 participants will use smartphone surveys and continuous glucose monitors for tw…

This study looks at body composition, metabolism, and physical activity in 60 teenage girls with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy-weight teens. Researchers want to find the most useful measurements to define the stage of the disease. The goal is to improve monitoring and supp…

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 and mental health symptoms. The goal is to use this information to improve diet plans and long-term …

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 watches how stomach and bowel symptoms change in people with anorexia or bulimia during a multi-week hospital program for weight restoration. Researchers will compare those who follow flexitarian, vegetarian, or vegan diets to see if one pattern leads to fewer gut prob…

This study looks at whether changes in a gene called orexin are linked to how severe an eating disorder is, along with depression and sleep quality in women with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will compare 60 women with anorexia to a healthy control group. The goal is to better un…

This study looks at how the brain processes pleasure and desire in women with anorexia or bulimia. Researchers will use brain scans and computer tasks to compare women with eating disorders to healthy women. The goal is to understand these brain patterns better, which could help …

This study explores how a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) changes food choices and brain activity in women with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will use brain scans to see if stimulating a specific area helps parti…

This observational study aims to learn more about the thinking styles and brain activity of people with certain eating disorders, including ARFID, anorexia, and bulimia. Researchers will compare these groups to healthy volunteers using questionnaires and computer tasks. The goal …

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 know if those with anorexia use more "masking" (hiding autistic traits to fit in) and how that relates to brain…

This study explores the personal experiences of adolescents with anorexia nervosa, their parents, and healthcare professionals regarding the use of psychotropic drugs. Researchers will conduct in-depth interviews to understand perceptions and feelings about these medications. The…

This study collects health information from up to 10,000 people with conditions like Long COVID, ME/CFS, and autoimmune diseases. Participants use a phone app to share symptoms, wearables data, and lifestyle details. The goal is to help researchers better understand these illness…

This study looks at the connection between gut bacteria, body fat changes, and fear of weight gain in women with anorexia nervosa. Researchers will collect stool and blood samples from 60 women admitted for refeeding to identify bacterial patterns and chemical markers. The goal i…

This study aims to understand why people with anorexia nervosa process food differently than healthy individuals. Researchers will use a meal challenge to measure changes in metabolism and food-related anxiety. The study involves 300 participants, including those currently ill, r…

This study looks at how women with anorexia or bulimia nervosa learn to avoid certain situations, and what happens in their brains during this process. Researchers will use brain scans (fMRI) and computer tasks to compare 78 women—26 with anorexia, 26 with bulimia, and 26 healthy…

This study looks at how sensing your body from the inside (interoception) relates to body image problems in anorexia nervosa. About 102 people with anorexia will try either floatation therapy or watching videos, both with mindfulness training. The goal is to understand these conn…

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 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 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 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…