Investigating immune system and gut health in anorexia nervosa

Immune Dysregulation in Eating Disorders (ID-ED)

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11282748

This study is looking at how the immune system and gut health are connected to anorexia nervosa in women, comparing those with the condition to healthy women, to better understand how these factors might influence eating disorder symptoms and overall health.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorWASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11282748 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how immune dysregulation and gut microbiome composition affect women with anorexia nervosa (AN). The project will compare immune responses and gut health between women with AN and healthy individuals. It aims to identify specific inflammatory markers and their relationship to eating disorder symptoms, providing insights into the physiological changes associated with AN. The findings could help bridge the gap between physical health and psychological symptoms in patients with this condition.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.

Not a fit: Patients with other eating disorders or those not meeting the criteria for anorexia nervosa may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa.

How similar studies have performed: While research on immune dysregulation and gut microbiome in eating disorders is emerging, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.