Anorexia Nervosa and Its Effects on Brain Function, Body Metabolism and Their Interaction in Adolescents

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05357053

Acronym

AVAIN_JR

Enrollment

Registered

2022-05-02

Start date

2022-01-01

Completion date

2027-12-31

Last updated

2025-09-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa

Keywords

Anorexia nervosa, Metabolism, Functional Imaging, Eating disorders

Brief summary

The aim of the research project is to investigate the neurological, physiological and behavioral underpinnings associated with the development of anorexia nervosa in adolescents. The goal of the project is to enable new ways to both predict the course of the disease and to influence this process.

Detailed description

The aim of the project is to enable new ways to both predict and influence the course of anorexia nervosa. This is a three-year follow-up study in which we investigate the neurological and physiological factors underpinnings of anorexia nervosa with structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In addition to this, a variety of methods is used, such as physiological measurements and questionnaire data, as well as investigation of intestinal microbiota associated with anorexia nervosa. Altogether 100 girls aged 13-17 will be recruited for the study: 50 patients with anorexia nervosa and 50 healthy controls. The participants are monitored annually and the fMRI scan is repeated at the last visit. Additionally, 40 participants (20 patients and 20 healthy controls) will participate in a cardiac sub-study. In this, the participants will also have an MRI scan and ultrasound examination of the heart.

Interventions

None listed

Study design

Observational model

CASE_CONTROL

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

13 Years to 17 Years

Inclusion criteria

for anorexia nervosa patients: * Female sex * Age 13-17 years * Body mass index \< 17.5 kg/m2 * Currently fulfilling modified Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) diagnosis criteria for anorexia nervosa with or without amenorrhea * Anorexia nervosa diagnosed within 2 yers Inclusion criteria for healthy controls: * Female sex * Age 13-17 years * Body mass index 18,5-25 kg/m2 * No lifetime history of obesity (Body mass index ≥ 30) or eating disorders

Exclusion criteria

* Any chronic illness or medication that could affect glucose metabolism or neurotransmission * Any other current mental disorder (excluding anorexia nervosa for the patient participants) * Severe previous mental disorder (excluding anorexia nervosa for the patient participants) * Smoking of tobacco, snuffing, or use of narcotics * Abusive use of alcohol

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Changes in brain reward system and metabolism in anorexia nervosa patients	3 years	Anorexia nervosa patients and controls are studied using fMRI imaging and followed up for 3 years. Reward system function is measured using fMRI and metabolism using blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) echo-planar imaging.

Countries

Finland

Outcome results