Patient-derived Stem Cell Models of Anorexia Nervosa (ANSTEM)

Karolinska Institute

Status: Active, not recruiting

Conditions: Anorexia Nervosa

Treatments: Other: observational

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06259500

2019 00170

Details and patient eligibility

About

Experimental and genetic data, as well as brain imaging, support a role of the hypothalamic Arcuate nucleus neurons and their communication with surrounding microglia in anorectic conditions, but it has until recently not been possible to explore these cells at a molecular level in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients. This attributed to the obvious lack of valid tissue and non-invasive imaging techniques of high enough resolution. Stem cell models have evolved as a useful tool for the exploration of other neuropsychiatric disorders with a comparably high genetic contribution as AN. The investigators will here use patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to profile Arc neurons and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) derived microglia in AN, thus defining molecules to explore as drug targets.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria anorexia nervosa:

• female
• 18-45 years of age
• AN restrictive diagnosis as main diagnosis
• more than 5 years duration

Exclusion Criteria anorexia nervosa:

Inclusion Criteria healthy control:

• female
• 18-45 years of age
• BMI 18,5 - 25

Exclusion Criteria healthy control:

• own or family member with eating disorder diagnosis
• own or family member with autism diagnosis

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

anorexia nervosa

Treatment:

Other: observational

healthy controls

Treatment:

Other: observational