Study of Brain and Stress Responses to Caloric and Non-Caloric Meals in Females With Anorexia Nervosa Aged 13 to 18

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying anorexia nervosa AN, a serious psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate, focusing on how caloric and non-caloric food intake affects stress responses and brain activity. The study compares female AN patients aged 13 to 18 who are newly diagnosed and treatment-nave, with healthy volunteers matched by age, sex, and education. The aim is to understand biological and psychological responses linked to eating in AN and to explore brain network changes related to calorie intake through neuroendocrine and psychological measures. Participants will be randomly assigned to consume one of two jellies a 400-calorie mixture or a calorie-free mixture, both prepared to look and taste similar. AN patients will be admitted overnight to ensure a 12-hour fast before the study day. After psychiatric assessments and initial brain scans, participants will consume the jelly within 15 minutes, and their intake amount will be recorded. A second brain scan one hour later will assess brain network changes. Three hours later, participants will be offered a standard oatmeal meal with calories, allowed up to 500 kcal, and the amount consumed will also be measured. Throughout the study, participants will undergo psychiatric evaluations, blood sampling for hormones and biochemical markers, blood pressure and pulse monitoring, and brain MRI scans before and after meal intake. Self-report scales will assess hunger, anxiety, mood, and eating-related fears. Researchers will compare physiological, psychological, and behavioral responses before and after meals between AN patients who receive calories, those who do not, and matched healthy controls. The study will last until the end of 2026 with ongoing monitoring and data analysis.

A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Networks Integrating Anxiety and Metabolism in Anorexia Nervosa