High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

Objective: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric condition often associated with poor outcomes. Biologically informed treatments for AN, such as brain stimulation, are lacking, in part due to the unclear nature of the neurobiological contributions to the illness. However, recent research has suggested a specific neurobiological target for the treatment of AN, namely stimulation of the inferior parietal lobe (IPL). The aim of this study was to stimulate—noninvasively—the left IPL in individuals with AN using high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS). Method: Twenty participants will be randomized to receive 10 daily sessions of HD-tDCS or sham HD-tDCS (placebo). Assessments will be carried out at baseline and end point, as well as 4- and 12-week follow-ups. Discussion: This pilot investigation will primarily determine the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention.