RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The Fecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT) Study for Anorexia Nervosa

This study is investigating a new approach for anorexia nervosa, a serious illness that's hard to treat. The research team is looking into whether a treatment called Faecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT) can help. FMT involves giving healthy gut bacteria from a donor to someone else. We know that conditions like anorexia nervosa can affect the tiny living things in our gut (our 'gut microbiome'), which seems to have a link to how our brain works and how we think. This study aims to see if changing these gut bacteria through FMT can improve people's thoughts about food, their mood, and their overall well-being, helping them on their journey to recovery. Researchers hope this will shed light on why anorexia nervosa persists and lead to new, more effective treatments.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Enrolment target

Start

15 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2027

Anorexia Nervosa

What is this study about?

Anorexia nervosa is a very serious medical condition that can be life-threatening and is often difficult to treat. People with anorexia nervosa often have a strong belief that they are overweight, even when they are not, and they continue to limit what they eat. This way of thinking can make it very hard for them to get better.

Recent research suggests there's a strong connection between our gut and our brain, often called the 'gut-brain axis.' Our gut is home to trillions of tiny living things called microbes (our 'gut microbiome'), which can affect how we think, feel, and even our food choices. In people with anorexia nervosa, this gut microbiome is often out of balance. This study wants to explore whether changing the gut microbiome could help improve how people with anorexia nervosa think about food, their mood, and their overall health.

The study will use a treatment called Faecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT), sometimes informally known as a 'poo transplant.' This involves carefully transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor to someone with anorexia nervosa in the form of capsules. The researchers will then check if this treatment changes the gut bacteria, affects body chemistry, improves thinking patterns, and helps with moods and emotions. The hope is that this will provide important clues about why anorexia nervosa persists and help develop better ways to treat it in the future.

Key takeaways

This study explores a 'poo transplant' (FMT) for anorexia nervosa.
It aims to see if changing gut bacteria can improve thoughts, mood, and eating patterns.
Participants will receive FMT capsules and have assessments over three months.
The study is for people aged 16-35 with restricting-type anorexia nervosa.
It hopes to find new ways to understand and treat this challenging illness.
Your decision to join or withdraw will not affect your future medical care.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to be between 16 and 35 years old and have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, specifically the 'restricting type,' which means you mainly limit your food intake rather than binge eating and purging. Your weight must also be at a certain low level as determined by a doctor, and you must be able to understand everyday English.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are currently very unwell and need to be in hospital for either medical or mental health reasons. If you have the 'binge/purge type' of anorexia nervosa, this study isn't for you. Also, if you've recently taken antibiotics or probiotics (in the last month), or if you're taking certain strong medications like steroids, you wouldn't be able to participate.

If you have a long-term condition that affects your immune system, gut, or metabolism, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period, you wouldn't be eligible. Finally, if you are already in a treatment programme that focuses on helping you eat more, you would not be able to join this particular study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 16 and 35 years old?
Do you have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, mainly restricting your food intake?
Are you able to swallow capsules without vomiting?
Are you able to read and understand everyday English?
Are you *not* currently highly unwell and needing hospital care for medical or mental health reasons?
Have you *not* used antibiotics or probiotics in the last month?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you take part in this study, the main intervention will be receiving the Faecal Microbiome Transplant (FMT) in capsule form. This study is designed to look at how you are before the FMT treatment and how you are at different times afterwards. You will have assessments before the treatment, then again one week, three weeks, and three months after receiving the FMT capsules.

These assessments will involve checking your gut bacteria, your body's chemistry (like blood tests), how you think and process information, and your mood and emotions. The researchers will be carefully monitoring changes in these areas to understand the effects of the FMT. The total duration of your active involvement in the study, from your initial assessments to the final follow-up, will be around three months. This study is designed to happen *before* you start other specialised eating disorder treatments, allowing researchers to see the direct impact of the FMT.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits by helping researchers understand anorexia nervosa better and potentially discover new ways to treat it. There's a chance, though it's not guaranteed, that the FMT treatment could help improve your gut health, thinking patterns, and mood. As with any medical study, there are potential risks, which will be fully explained to you. These could include temporary discomfort, infection, or other side effects from the FMT capsules, although FMT is generally considered safe for specific conditions. You will be given detailed information about these. It's very important to remember that joining a study is always your choice, and you are free to withdraw at any time without explaining why, and this will not affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

London Health Sciences Research Institute
Verified postcode
London, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'Fecal Microbiome Transplant' (FMT)?

FMT, sometimes called a 'poo transplant,' involves taking healthy gut bacteria from a donor and giving them to someone else, usually in capsule form, to help restore a healthy balance in their gut.

Why are researchers interested in gut bacteria for anorexia nervosa?

There's a growing understanding that the tiny living things in our gut (our 'gut microbiome') can affect our brain, mood, and even how we make food choices. Researchers wonder if an imbalanced gut microbiome plays a role in anorexia nervosa.

Will this study cure my anorexia nervosa?

This is a research study to investigate a new approach. While researchers hope it will lead to new treatments, it's not guaranteed to be a cure. We are learning how FMT might help.

What will I have to do in the study?

You'll receive FMT capsules and have health check-ups, blood tests, and answer questions about your thoughts and feelings before the treatment, and then again after one week, three weeks, and three months.

Can I still receive my normal eating disorder treatment if I join?

This study is designed to be done *before* you start other specialised eating disorder treatments, so it will not interfere with your future care plans.

How to find out more

Michael Wammes

michael.wammes@lhsc.on.ca 519-646-6000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.