biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)Gabriel-Segard TAnorexia nervosa (AN) is the most severe and life-threatening eating disorder. Its pathophysiology remains largely unknown, and no effective treatment currently exists for severe forms of the disease. Gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis has been consistently reported in AN; however, no study has yet considered the role of the microbiota within the full spectrum of AN symptoms. To investigate the direct involvement of the microbiota in disease symptoms, we developed a murine model of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), using germ-free BALB/c mice colonized with fecal samples from well-characterized AN patients and healthy controls. Physiological, organ, and behavioral parameters were systematically monitored. We found that key AN-related features (including food restriction, anxiety-like behaGut microbes2563701https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12626428biostudies-literatureAnorexia nervosa symptoms are induced after specific gut microbiota dysbiosis transfer in germ-free mice.PMC12626428Gabriel-Segard TDuquesnoy MMaximin EMondot SJacota MPaul SDicembre MBlais AHanachi MPhilippe CDore JRabot SBlottiere HMHeberden CNaudon LLapaque NfalseAnorexia nervosa symptoms are induced after specific gut microbiota dysbiosis transfer in germ-free mice.Anorexia nervosa (AN) is the most severe and life-threatening eating disorder. Its pathophysiology remains largely unknown, and no effective treatment currently exists for severe forms of the disease. Gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis has been consistently reported in AN; however, no study has yet considered the role of the microbiota within the full spectrum of AN symptoms. To investigate the direct involvement of the microbiota in disease symptoms, we developed a murine model of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), using germ-free BALB/c mice colonized with fecal samples from well-characterized AN patients and healthy controls. Physiological, organ, and behavioral parameters were systematically monitored. We found that key AN-related features (including food restriction, anxiety-like beha2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-05T19:17:38.308Z2026-05-20T03:14:45.274ZS-EPMC126264284123998310.1080/19490976.2025.2563701