213. A Dysbiotic Intestinal Microbiota Harbored Within Patients With Anorexia Nervosa is Associated With Elevated Anxiety and Depression

Anorexia nervosa (AN) affects 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men in the United States. Treatment outcome for AN is poor, it carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, and only half of patients experience long-term recovery. Despite significant morbidity and mortality, the evidence base for treatment is weak. Weight restoration approaches are typically guideline- rather than evidence-based and can be physically uncomfortable and psychologically distressing to patients. Novel therapies for this illness are therefore needed, and the microbes in the intestine ( “gut microbiota”) have emerged as a potential target to improve treatment outcomes for AN.

Source: Biological Psychiatry - April 8, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ian Caroll, Susan Kleiman, Eun Young Huh, Emily Bulik-Sullivan, Elle Glenny, Stephanie Thomas, Quyen Tang, Lisa Tarantino, Cynthia Bulik Source Type: research