Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder with the highest mortality rate among psychiatric conditions, often due to suicide. Current treatments, involving intensive nutritional rehabilitation and psychotherapy, are effective in only about 50% of cases, leaving many patients at risk of relapse and chronic illness. Despite its high health and societal burden, AN lacks personalized, biology-driven treatment approaches due to insufficient research into biological markers.

The BIOREXIA project, a groundbreaking international collaboration, aims to revolutionize AN care by identifying and validating biomarkers to guide personalized treatments. By analyzing existing blood samples, the project will focus on biomarkers associated with key biological pathways, such as leptin and ghrelin signaling, which are crucial in regulating appetite and metabolism. Additionally, the study will integrate findings from advanced brain imaging techniques, such as structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to examine cortical thickness—a potential predictor of disease severity and relapse risk.

These insights will enable clinicians to classify patients based on their individual biological and neurological profiles. This stratification will help determine the intensity and type of treatment needed, improving outcomes for patients and reducing the risk of relapse. By tailoring therapy to individual needs, BIOREXIA aims to enhance the quality of life for patients and caregivers, alleviate the societal burden of AN, and contribute to more sustainable healthcare systems. This innovative approach has the potential to transform the management of AN, setting a new standard for personalized psychiatry.