Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition and remains one of the most treatment-resistant. It is characterized by severe food restriction, distorted body image, and intense fear of weight gain, and affects patients across all demographics though most commonly adolescent and young adult women.
What's actually going on in research
Deep brain stimulation targeting reward and interoceptive circuits is in trials for severe, treatment-resistant anorexia. Psilocybin-assisted therapy is in early trials based on evidence it may reduce rigidity and increase psychological flexibility in anorexia. Olanzapine reduces anxiety around eating and is being tested more rigorously alongside intensive outpatient and inpatient programs.
Deep brain stimulation
Targeting the subcallosal cingulate cortex or nucleus accumbens with electrical stimulation is in trials for adults with severe, long-duration treatment-resistant anorexia.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy
Psilocybin combined with structured psychotherapy is in early trials for anorexia, aiming to disrupt rigid cognitive patterns and increase openness to weight restoration.
Olanzapine in anorexia
Olanzapine reduces weight-related anxiety and is being tested in controlled trials as an add-on to improve weight restoration outcomes in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
What to know before you search
Eligibility requires a confirmed anorexia nervosa diagnosis, specified BMI threshold and medical stability, age, and often prior treatment failure for neuromodulation trials.
What types of trials are currently open
- Drug trials — Testing olanzapine, D-cycloserine, and novel agents to reduce anxiety and support weight restoration.
- Psychotherapy trials — Comparing CBT, family-based treatment, and acceptance-based therapies across ages and settings.
- Neuromodulation trials — Testing deep brain stimulation, TMS, and other brain stimulation approaches for treatment-resistant anorexia.
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy trials — Evaluating psilocybin and ketamine in structured therapeutic settings for anorexia.
- Inpatient and residential trials — Comparing treatment models, refeeding schedules, and transition-of-care strategies.
Recently added Anorexia Nervosa trials
Hormonal And Metabolic Signatures In Human Hypothalamic Neurons In Anorexia Nervosa
The goal of this observational study is to investigate cellular mechanisms of neuroendocrine and metabolic signaling in adult women with anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to healthy controls. The primary purpose is to understand how hypothalamic-like neurons derived from patient samples respond to metabolic hormones and regulate energy homeostasis. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do hypothalamic-like neurons derived from individuals with AN show altered responsiveness to key metabolic hormones compared to neurons derived from healthy controls? Are there differences in cellular metabolism, gene expression profiles, and neuronal activity that reflect disease-relevant neuroendocrine dysfunction? Researchers will compare patient-derived cellular models from individuals with AN to those generated from matched healthy control participants to determine whether differences in hormone responsiveness, metabolic function, and neuronal signaling can be identified. Participants will: Attend a single study visit at a recruiting clinical site Provide a small peripheral blood sample Undergo basic clinical assessment and anthropometric measurements Collected samples will be coded at the recruiting sites and transferred to a central research laboratory, where they will be used to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and differentiate them into hypothalamic-like neurons. All experimental analyses are conducted in vitro and do not involve any intervention or treatment administered to participants.
Incorporating Narrative Into the Treatment of Youth With Anorexia Nervosa (Virtual)
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a narrative medicine (NM) curriculum can enhance self-expression, reflection, and resilience in adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does participation in an NM curriculum improve self-expression and reflection in individuals with anorexia nervosa? * Does engaging in creative writing and group discussion promote resilience and emotional processing in this population? Participants will be 16-25 years old, medically stable for outpatient eating disorder therapy, and actively engaged in treatment. Those with active suicidal ideation, recent non-suicidal self-injury, or a co-occurring personality disorder will not be eligible. Participants will: * Attend six weekly workshops focused on themes such as self-definition, kindness, resilience, and possibility * Engage in close reading of visual or written texts * Complete creative writing exercises in response to prompts * Participate in group discussions and sharing An optional capstone reading event will provide a supportive space for participants to share their work with peers, loved ones, and providers, fostering connection and community. This study aims to explore the role of narrative medicine in eating disorder treatment and assess its potential benefits for psychological well-being and self-expression.
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