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Updated: Aug 11, 2025

Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Anorexia nervosa and microbiota: systematic review and critical appraisal
Naomi Garcia1, Emilio Gutierrez2,3
1Departamento de Psicología Clínica Y Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Campus Vida, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Purpose:
Recent studies have reported a gut microbiota imbalance or dysbiosis associated with anorexia nervosa (AN), which has prompted an appraisal of its aetiological role, and the reformulation of AN as a metabo-psychiatric disorder. Thus, the aim of this paper was to critically review the current scientific findings regarding the role of microbiota in anorexia nervosa.
Methods:
A systematic study of peer-reviewed literature published in four databases between 2009 and 2022 was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Both human and animal studies were included.
Results:
A total of 18 studies were included. In animal models, both the preclinical and clinical findings were inconsistent regarding microbiota composition, faecal metabolite concentrations, and the effects of human faecal microbiota transplants.
Conclusion:
The methodological limitations, lack of standardisation, and conceptual ambiguity hinder the analysis of microbiota as a key explanatory factor for AN.
Level Of Evidence:
Level I, systematic review.
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