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Clinical trial Recruiting at 3 sites Observational Ages 14 to 65

Cognitive evaluation for people with eating disorders

Official title: Neuro-cognitive Profiles of Patients With Nutritional and Eating Disorders

Run by Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA · NCT07478510 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project tests whether thinking skills (like cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control) and automatic food-related attitudes differ among people aged 14–65 with ARFID, anorexia, or bulimia.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages14 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment84 (estimated)
SponsorIstituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA
Academic / other
Locations3 sites (Pavia, PV and 2 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 26, 2024
Main results expectedMarch 31, 2028
Study endsMarch 31, 2028
Registry record updatedApril 16, 2026
Trial IDNCT07478510 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are people aged 14–65 with a confirmed diagnosis of ARFID, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa, BMI below 25, and the ability to give informed consent (or parental consent for minors).

Probably not a fit

People with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, significant neurological disease, brain tumors, a history of seizures, or who cannot give consent are excluded and unlikely to benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This cross-sectional observational project enrolls participants aged 14–65 with ARFID, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa to measure cognitive and psychological characteristics. Participants with BMI <25 undergo on-site computerized tasks including a Go/No-go test (inhibitory control), the Implicit Association Test (automatic attitudes), and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (cognitive flexibility). The protocol excludes individuals with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, significant neurological disease, brain tumors, or seizure history. Collected data will be compared across diagnostic groups to better characterize cognitive profiles associated with different feeding and eating disorders, with a focus on the under-studied ARFID presentation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help clinicians tailor treatments by identifying cognitive patterns and automatic responses linked to different feeding and eating disorders.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has documented cognitive inflexibility and inhibitory-control differences in anorexia and bulimia, while ARFID has been less studied and this protocol applies established cognitive tasks to that diagnosis.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of a Feeding and Eating Disorder (ARFID, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia nervosa);
* Patients of both sexes;
* Age between 14 and 65 years;
* Confirmed diagnosis of a Feeding and Eating Disorder;
* Body Mass Index (BMI) \< 25;
* Signed informed consent form for participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder according to DSM-5-TR criteria;
* Diagnosis of a Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder according to DSM-5-TR criteria;
* Intellectual disability according to DSM-5-TR criteria;
* Presence of brain tumors;
* History of seizure events;
* Presence of other moderate to severe neurological disorders;
* Lack of the patient's consent to voluntary participation in the study;
* Lack of parental or legal guardian consent for participation of a minor in the study.

Where it's running

  • IUSS Pavia - Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori
    Pavia, Pv, Italy     Recruiting
  • Istituto Psicologico Italiano s.r.l.s.
    Milan, Italy     Recruiting
  • ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco
    Milan, Italy     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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ARFID 2Anorexia Nervosa 111Bulimia Nervosa 29Cognitive Flexibility 2Implicit Association Test 2Executive Functions 2Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA 50
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.