Anorexia nervosa is a complex and life-threatening disorder that has the highest mortality rate among mental illnesses. Despite its severity, there is currently no effective medication for its treatment, and the risk of relapse after patient monitoring and recovery reaches nearly 40%. However, a new study presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) 2026 Forum demonstrated that anorexia is not solely a psychiatric problem but has a solid metabolic foundation.
The study, conducted by French neuroscientists, revealed a link between the gut and the brain, in which the hormone LEAP2 plays a key role. Produced by the liver and intestines, this hormone counters and suppresses the action of ghrelin, the body’s primary hunger-triggering signal. Researchers discovered that patients in the acute phase of anorexia have 20% higher levels of this hormone in their blood, which restricts their body’s ability to perceive natural hunger signals.
Scientists explain that the level of LEAP2 is directly linked to the risk of post-treatment relapse. Patients who exhibited the highest levels of this hormone upon admission and during subsequent therapy were much more likely to relapse six months after discharge. This means that by analyzing hormone levels, doctors will be able to predict in advance which patients require longer and more intensive support.
Parallel tests on mice and humans also showed that LEAP2 influences impulse control, blood sugar regulation, and the body’s unusual metabolic tolerance to starvation. It is this hormonal imbalance that makes it easier for patients to abstain from food intake for months or even years. The authors of the study hope that decoding this biological mechanism will lay the groundwork for developing effective medical therapies for anorexia in the future.
