Researchers at Western University, the London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute, and the Lawson Research Institute are launching a clinical trial to test fecal microbiota transplant capsules on patients with anorexia nervosa. The trial aims to determine if restoring healthy gut bacteria can improve nutrition, emotional processing, and food choice behaviors.
Eating disorders remain among the most difficult psychiatric conditions to treat effectively through standard psychological therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring alone. Emerging clinical insights suggest that the human gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system communicate continuously via biochemical signaling pathways. For patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, researchers have consistently observed distinct microbial disturbances within the gut microbiome. By investigating whether tasteless, odorless fecal microbiota transplant capsules derived from healthy donors can reset this ecosystem, scientists hope to alter how the brain perceives body image and regulates dietary intake.
In Plain English: The Clinical Takeaway
- The Intervention: Participants ingest specialized capsules containing processed stool samples from rigorously screened, healthy donors to restore balance to their gut bacteria.
- The Biological Target: The treatment leverages the gut-brain axis—the biochemical communication network linking gastrointestinal microbiota to neural functioning and emotional regulation.
- Current Recruitment: The study is actively seeking 20 participants aged 16 to 35 who have been diagnosed with restricting-type anorexia nervosa and are not currently hospitalized or in active cognitive behavioral therapy.
The Mechanics of the Gut-Brain Axis in Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa is a severe, life-threatening psychiatric condition characterized by relentless food restriction, compulsive exercise routines, and distorted self-perception.
The core mechanism of action relies on modifying the gut microbiome—the complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract.
Rigorous Screening and Trial Design Protocols
The capsules used in this trial are manufactured and customized by the Lawson FMT team at St. Joseph’s Health Care London. Under the direction of Dr. Michael Silverman, medical director of the Infectious Diseases Program, and Seema Nair Parvathy, scientific director of the FMT program at Lawson, potential stool donors undergo exhaustive medical screenings to screen out pathogens and undesirable microorganisms. The processed material is then transformed into discreet, odorless pills designed for oral ingestion.
Dr. Jeremy Burton, interim vice-president of research at St. Joseph’s and scientific director of Lawson, emphasized the clinical rationale behind exploring non-traditional avenues. “Eating disorders can be stubbornly difficult to treat, even with a combination of psychological therapy, nutritional counselling and medical monitoring,” Burton noted. Funding for the trial is provided by the Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario (AMOSO). Participants in the trial will ingest the capsules, provide periodic stool samples, and complete structured health questionnaires to track longitudinal changes.
| Trial Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Target Enrollment | 20 participants |
| Age Eligibility | 16 to 35 years old |
| Diagnosis Criteria | Anorexia nervosa, restricting type |
| Exclusion Criteria | Active hospitalization, active cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Institutional Leads | Western University, LHSCRI, Lawson Research Institute |
| Funding Body | Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario (AMOSO) |
Contraindications & When to Consult a Doctor
Broader Horizons in Microbiota Research
Both the Lawson Research Institute and the London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute have previously contributed pioneering studies investigating FMT applications in fields such as oncology.
References
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. (2026). Could these pills help people with anorexia? New London, Ont. study aims to find out.
- St. Joseph’s Health Care London. (2026). Could these pills help people with anorexia? A new study aims to find out.
- London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI). Clinical Trial Announcements on Fecal Microbiota Transplantation and Eating Disorders.
