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

NCT05357053 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: T163_2021
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 33
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa

Keywords

Anorexia nervosa; Metabolism; Functional Imaging; Eating disorders

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in brain reward system and metabolism in anorexia nervosa patients

  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.

  3 years

Study Arms (2)

Anorexia nervosa patients

Anorexia nervosa patients

Healthy normal weight controls

Healthy normal weight controls

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: female
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population comprises 50 female adolescents with anorexia nervosa meeting the inclusion criteria. They are compared with 50 age and sex-matched healthy normal weight controls.

You may qualify if:

• 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
• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Turku University Hospital: lead
• University of Turku: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Turku PET Centre

Turku, 20521, Finland

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Blood and fecal samples

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anorexia Nervosa; Feeding and Eating Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Max Karukivi, MD, PhD

  Turku University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2022
• First Posted: May 2, 2022
• Study Start: January 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: September 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Locations

FI (1)