Magnetic brain zaps aim to ease anorexia in youth
NCT ID NCT04846517
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study tests whether a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called rTMS can help reduce symptoms of anorexia nervosa in 45 people aged 14 to 24. Participants will receive 20 daily sessions of rTMS, which uses magnets to stimulate the brain. Researchers will track changes in eating disorder thoughts and behaviors, mood, and anxiety through surveys and brain scans. The goal is to see if this approach is feasible and may offer relief.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 45 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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14 to 24 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. youth aged 14-24 with DSM-5 AN-restricting (ANR) or AN-binge-eating-purging (ANBP) type as determined by the MINI-KID/MINI and clinical interview; 2. YBC-EDS score≥16, 3. baseline CGI-S score ≥4, 4. English speaking (as this complement of questionnaires are available in English) 5. on stable psychotropic medication (if any) for the preceding 4 weeks (i.e., SSRIs, atypical antipsychotics and benzodiazepines of doses \<1 mg lorazepam equivalent daily), 6. medically stable, as determined by their treating clinician, and 7. not deemed to be at high risk of imminent suicidal behavior by initial study psychiatrist assessment and referring provider/team, and no endorsement of items 4 or 5 on the Severity of Ideation Subscale of the C-SSRS. 8. For women: not currently pregnant and on reliable birth control if sexually active (as the effects of rTMS on the unborn fetus are unknown). Exclusion Criteria: 1. a lifetime history of psychosis, mania, or seizure disorder 2. active suicidality as determined by clinical assessment by MD or PhD, and endorsement of items 4 or 5 on the Severity of Ideation Subscale of the C-SSRS. 3. unstable neurological disorder, 4. metal in head/eye, 5. inability to tolerate MRI, 6. at high risk of alcohol withdrawal or substance intoxication, 7. diagnosis of pervasive development disorder, 8. medical instability as determined by primary care provider and/or referring clinician (i.e., unstable electrolytes in the setting of worsening binge-eating/purging, cardiac arrhythmias requiring Holter or other intensive monitoring), 9. For women: pregnant or not using a reliable form of birth control.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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