Medical Scientist-Programm 2025

Thema: "(Dys)regulation of eating behaviour: insights into underlying mechanisms linking gut microbiota to anorexia nervosa"

Zusammenfassung:
This proposal aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of anorexia nervosa (AN) in adolescents, focusing on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. AN is a severe psychiatric disorder characterized by disordered eating behaviors, distorted body image, and a high mortality rate. Despite existing treatments, recovery remains challenging, with a significant proportion of patients not responding to interventions. The study hypothesizes that microbial imbalances, e.g., in Gokushovirus WZ-2015a, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Clostridium paraputrificum, influence eating behavior and neuropsychiatric symptoms. By integrating neuropsychological assessments, microbiome, and metabolomics data, the research will provide a comprehensive understanding of how these factors contribute to AN. Through a cohort of adolescents undergoing inpatient care, the study will assess clinical, psychological, and microbial profiles, explore connections between microbiota and eating behaviors, and track changes following treatment. It also aims to identify biomarkers that could predict treatment outcomes, with the goal of advancing our understanding of AN and informing more targeted, microbiota-based therapies. This multidisciplinary approach offers insights into the complex biological, psychological, and behavioral factors of AN, paving the way for more effective interventions.