Innovative and Emerging Treatments for Anorexia Nervosa
Sasha Gorrell, Amanda E. Downey
FOCUS The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1176/appi.focus.20230041 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Individuals with anorexia nervosa |
| Interventions | cannabidiol psilocybin therapy ketamine ketogenic diet transcranial magnetic stimulation vagus nerve stimulation |
| Topics | CBD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Anorexia nervosa Eating disorders Vagus nerve stimulation Transcranial magnetic stimulation Psychotherapist Brain stimulation Psychological intervention Clinical trial Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Preliminary investigations into several novel treatments for anorexia nervosa show promise but require larger, more diverse clinical trials. |
Abstract
Unlike psychopharmacologic interventions for other psychiatric conditions, few medications have emerged as helpful in improving eating disorder cognitions and evidence-based psychotherapies fail many patients. Novel treatments are urgently needed to address anorexia nervosa (AN), which is increasingly prevalent and difficult to treat. This article provides an overview of preliminary investigations into cannabidiol, psilocybin therapy, ketamine and the ketogenic diet, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation in individuals with AN. These pilot studies underscore the need for larger clinical trials that include more participant diversity in order to rapidly translate findings to real-world clinical practice.