Can a brain zapping helmet help treat anorexia?
NCT ID NCT06624150
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small, completed study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called tDCS, combined with computer-based cognitive training, is safe and tolerable for adults with anorexia or atypical anorexia. One participant received either real or fake stimulation over 10 sessions. The goal was to see if people would stick with the treatment and if it might improve thinking flexibility. Because only one person took part, the results are very preliminary.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) via StarStim device
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could point toward a new way to improve cognitive flexibility in people with anorexia, potentially making standard treatments more effective.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, tiny study (only 1 participant) focused on feasibility, not on proving the treatment works. Results may not apply to others, and the real benefit remains unknown.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
1 person
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2024
- Finished
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May 2026
- 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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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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: * Age 18-65 years * Self-reported enrollment in outpatient-level treatment at local eating disorder treatment centers in the Twin Cities region, and meeting DSM-5 criteria for AN (mild severity, based on BMI greater than or equal to 17.0 kg/m2) or atypical AN diagnosis (based on MINI and EDE assessments). * Participant must be capable of giving informed consent, based on UCSD Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC) risk assessment. * Sufficient spoken English so as to be able to comprehend testing procedures. Normative ranges on a C-RENAL blood panel (panel and ranges specified here: https://labguide.fairview.org/showtest.asp?testid=3321) Exclusion Criteria: * Substance abuse in the participant * Neurological condition or other developmental disorder * Serious psychiatric disorder known to affect brain functioning and cognitive performance (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) * Medical instability, which will be evident based on required outpatient treatment status. In standard eating disorders treatment, individuals who are not medically stable are referred to higher levels of care (e.g., residential treatment, inpatient). Therefore, if a participant is enrolled in higher level care for their eating disorder diagnosis, this indicates medical instability and they will be excluded from enrollment in this study. * tDCS contraindication (e.g., history of craniotomy, history of metallic cranial plates, screws, implanted devices). * Acute suicidality (suicidalideation with a plan or intent), assessed via MINI suicidality module and Beck Depression Inventory suicide item * Acute homicidality (homicidal ideation with a plan or intent), assessed via MINI * Moderate, severe or extreme AN diagnostic severity, based on BMI as per DSM-5 criteria (e.g., BMI \<17.0 kg/m2)
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55414, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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