Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42009386›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2026

Protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial of fecal microbiota transplantation for adolescent anorexia nervosa.

Jennifer Couturier, Emily Kenner, Maria Nicula, Fariha Chowdhury, Michael Surette, Nikhil Pai

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06593366 (A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06593366 nanot yet recruitingnot on this map

A Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial of Fecal Microbiota Transplant for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

TypeinterventionalSponsorHamilton Health Sciences CorporationRan2026 to 2027Enrolled20ConditionsAnorexia Nervosa Restricting Type, Anorexia Nervosa, Anorexia in Adolescence, Anorexia in ChildrenArmsFecal Microbiota Transplant, Placebo
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Jennifer CouturierMcMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada coutur@mcmaster.ca.
Emily KennerHamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-5902-2027
Maria NiculaMcMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Fariha ChowdhuryHamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Michael SuretteMcMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Nikhil PaiDepartment of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDespite its serious impact, anorexia nervosa (AN) remains one of the least understood mental illnesses, with significant gaps in effective treatment options. No medications have been deemed effective and only 50% of individuals respond to conventional psychotherapies. Gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria have been found to be altered in individuals with AN. While, Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown potential for alleviating anxiety and depression, its effects remain understudied for individuals with AN. This study aims to determine whether oral capsular FMT is acceptable to adolescents with AN and results in clinical improvement in weight and/or psychological symptoms.

methodsThis study will randomise 20 adolescents with AN, ages 12-17 years, to receive either FMT or placebo capsules. These 20 youth, as well as an additional 10 youth who decline trial enrolment, will participate in qualitative interviews. We will track recruitment rates and collect psychological and biological measures (blood, stool, urine and saliva) at multiple timepoints to assess how gut microbiota and their metabolites may influence the symptoms of AN. Interviews with participants and caregivers will explore their experiences and views on FMT as a treatment approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has received ethics approval by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (#17493) and investigational drug approval by Health Canada (Dossier ID: c292423). Informed consent will be obtained by research staff from all participants. Findings will be disseminated through academic conferences, clinical forums and partnerships with advocacy organisations to reach clinicians, researchers and individuals with lived experience. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06593366.

Indexed as

Anorexia NervosaFecal Microbiota TransplantationAdolescentChildFeasibility StudiesFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansMalePilot ProjectsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeEating disordersGastrointestinal MicrobiomePAEDIATRICS

Identifiers

PMID42009386
PMCPMC13110598

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.