New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by severe food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. It affects about 1% of women and 0.3% of men during their lifetime and has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Treatment typically involves nutritional rehabilitation, therapy, and medical monitoring, though relapse rates remain high.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing medications that target brain circuits driving food avoidance and body image distortion, including drugs acting on dopamine and serotonin systems. Researchers are studying family-based therapy variations, neurostimulation approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation, and ways to prevent relapse after weight restoration. Some studies examine the role of gut microbiome changes in perpetuating the illness.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on diagnosis confirmation, body weight or BMI, illness duration, medical stability, and whether someone is in active treatment or weight-restored.

What types of trials are currently open

• Medication trials — Testing drugs that target anxiety, reward processing, or metabolic signals to reduce restriction and fear of eating. Most trials combine medication with therapy.
• Therapy trials — Comparing different forms of cognitive behavioral therapy, family-based treatment, and acceptance-based approaches to see what works best for different age groups and illness severity.
• Neurostimulation studies — Using transcranial magnetic stimulation or other brain stimulation methods to change activity in regions linked to body image and food decisions.
• Relapse prevention studies — Testing maintenance treatments, outpatient programs, and monitoring strategies to prevent return of symptoms after initial recovery.
• Observational studies — Following people with anorexia over time to identify predictors of recovery and understand brain changes during illness and restoration.