Reestablishing Normal Gut-brain Interaction in Anorexia Nervose With Normal Gut Microbiota

Overview

In this pilot study 36 patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) will be randomized to either treatment with psychotherapy as usual (TAU) or TAU plus fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). The transplantation will be performed when refeeding has started. Patients randomized to TAU+FMT will choose either capsules or gastroscopy as source of FMT. One week after FMT gut microbiota will be collected and analyzed and compared with microbiota composition at baseline. The two groups are then followed during psychotherapy to assess whether it is feasible to give FMT during psychotherapy to study the effects on outcome. In addition, this pilot study is aiming at paving the way for performing larger studies to assess whether FMT improves outcome from psychotherapy when given in combination with psychotherapy in patients with AN.

Around fifty percent of the patients who enter psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa (AN) drop out from the psychotherapy. Nearly all patients who are unable to complete treatment have significant deterioration shortly after premature ending of psychotherapy. During the development of AN, the microbes in the gut are significantly altered probably due to malnutrition. Some studies indicate that these alterations in the composition of gut microbiota play a role in the maintenance of AN. In this study we are aiming at assessing the feasibility of combining psychotherapy with improvement of nutritional status with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). By improving the nutritional status of the patient before transplantation the transplant may have better survival with improved outcome. In this pilot study 36 patients who have at least one failed treatment attempt will be included. The transplantation will be performed when refeeding has started. Patients randomized to TAU+FMT will choose either capsules or gastroscopy as source of FMT. One week after FMT gut microbiota will be collected and analyzed and compared with microbiota composition at baseline. The two groups are then followed during psychotherapy to assess whether it is feasible to give FMT during psychotherapy to study the effects on outcome. In addition, this pilot study is aiming at paving the way for performing larger studies to assess whether FMT improves outcome from psychotherapy when given in combination with psychotherapy in patients with AN.