Fecal microbiome transplant for restricting-type anorexia nervosa
Official title: Fecal Microbiome Transplant to Normalize Gut Microbiota, Metabolomics, Immunology, Cognitive and Affective Processing in Patients Suffering From Anorexia Nervosa
Run by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's · NCT07143981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will try oral fecal microbiome transplant capsules in people with restricting-type anorexia nervosa to see if changing gut bacteria improves metabolism, immune health, and thinking about food and weight.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 16 Years to 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (London, Ontario) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 15, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | January 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07143981 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for restricting-type anorexia nervosa with BMI <17 who are medically stable, can swallow capsules, read conversational English, are not pregnant, and have not used antibiotics or probiotics in the prior month are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with binge/purge type anorexia, active medical or psychiatric instability requiring hospitalization, chronic GI or immune disorders, recent antibiotic or probiotic use, pregnancy, or those currently enrolled in refeeding programs are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a one-group, pre/post intervention study delivering fecal microbiome transplant (FMT) capsules to people with restricting-type anorexia nervosa before specialized eating-disorder treatment, with follow-up at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 3 months. The team will compare participants' gut microbiome diversity, targeted metabolomics, immune markers, and cognitive/affective measures before and after FMT. Participants must be medically stable adults with BMI <17 who can swallow capsules and are not on recent antibiotics or enrolled in refeeding programs. The goal is to determine acceptability and biological and cognitive changes associated with FMT in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, FMT could diversify gut microbes, improve metabolic and immune profiles, and reduce distorted thinking about weight, potentially aiding recovery from anorexia.
How similar studies have gone: FMT has proven effective for some gastrointestinal conditions and shown preliminary signals in certain mental-health contexts, but applying FMT specifically to anorexia nervosa is novel and not previously established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * meet DSM 5 criteria for AN, restricting type, moderate or higher severity, as indicated by a BMI\<17 * Participants must we willing and able to swallow FMT capsules without vomiting * Able to read and understand conversational English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Medical or psychiatric instability needing hospitalization 2. Patients with AN binge/purge type 3. Use of antibiotics or probiotics in the month prior to treatment 4. Regular oral steroid use, or potent topical steroid use on large sections of skin 5. Chronic immune compromise and chronic illness affecting the intestinal tract or metabolic health 6. Pregnancy or intended pregnancy over the time of study 7. Patients enrolled in any treatment program that involves refeeding
Where it's running
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London Health Sciences Research Institute
London, Ontario, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Elizabeth Osuch — London Health Sciences Centre
- Study coordinator: Michael Wammes
- Email: michael.wammes@lhsc.on.ca
- Phone: 519-646-6000
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.