The Fecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT) Study for Anorexia Nervosa (NCT07143981)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe, debilitating and potentially life threatening illness that is difficult to treat. A cardinal symptom of AN is the mistaken belief on the part of the individuals that they are overweight and must continue to restrict intake. This fixed false belief is a detrimental factor to recovery. It is known that AN involves disturbance in the gut microbiome (GM; the microbes that live in the lower intestinal tract). The GM also affects how one thinks and makes food choices - there appears to be a direct link between the GM and how the brain functions. This connection is thought to occur through chemical processes that convey information from the gut to the brain. It is known that fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) has been useful in treating several illnesses, including several mental illnesses. The investigators intend to deliver FMT to individuals with AN to determine the extent to which this modifies their GM, their biochemistry, their thinking processes and their moods and emotions. The investigators believe this will illuminate important aspects of AN that keep the illness in place, and that this will uncover useful approaches to better treat it.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: London Health Sciences Research Institute — London, Ontario
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Medical or psychiatric instability needing hospitalization
- Patients with AN binge/purge type
- Use of antibiotics or probiotics in the month prior to treatment
- Regular oral steroid use, or potent topical steroid use on large sections of skin
- Chronic immune compromise and chronic illness affecting the intestinal tract or metabolic health
- Pregnancy or intended pregnancy over the time of study
- Patients enrolled in any treatment program that involves refeeding
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- London Health Sciences Research Institute — London, Ontario
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.