High LEAP2 Levels Linked to Anorexia Nervosa Relapse Risk

Recent findings have indicated that individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit significantly elevated levels of the LEAP2 hormone during the acute phase of their condition. These increased levels may correlate with a heightened risk of relapse following treatment, suggesting a potential biomarker for monitoring the disorder.

Study Overview and Context

Research presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026 has shown that LEAP2, a hormone secreted by the liver and intestines, is elevated in patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. The study involved 30 women aged 18 to 60 who underwent a structured four-month refeeding program at a specialized treatment center in Paris. Blood samples were collected at various stages of treatment, alongside behavioral assessments, to understand the implications of LEAP2 levels.

Findings on LEAP2 and Relapse Rates

Dr. Virginie Tolle, a neuroscientist affiliated with INSERM, highlighted that patients entering treatment had 20% higher LEAP2 levels compared to their post-treatment levels. Notably, those who exhibited the highest concentrations of this hormone were more prone to relapse within six months of discharge. This insight suggests that measuring LEAP2 could offer predictive value regarding the likelihood of relapse, enabling tailored therapeutic approaches for individuals recovering from anorexia nervosa.

Impulse Control and Eating Behaviors

The research findings also point towards a relationship between impulse control and hormone levels in anorexia nervosa patients. Questionnaire results demonstrated that individuals with better impulse control post-treatment had lower levels of ghrelin, the hormone normally stimulating hunger, relative to LEAP2. An animal study further backed these findings, revealing that young female mice exposed to food restriction exhibited impulsivity that was inadequately addressed by subsequent refeeding, indicating a potential link between LEAP2 and the neurology of eating behaviors.

Future Research Directions

Dr. Tolle’s team aims to expand their research to encompass a larger patient demographic while employing advanced techniques to investigate the interaction between LEAP2 and ghrelin on brain cell activity. The potential for LEAP2 to serve as both a biomarker for relapse and a target for innovative treatment strategies could redefine the management of anorexia nervosa, which Dr. Tolle emphasizes is both a psychiatric and metabolic disorder.

THE CNP TAKEAWAY

Understanding the role of LEAP2 in anorexia nervosa may lead to improved monitoring and treatment strategies. While promising, further validation in larger studies is essential to fully harness its potential.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

This article was prepared by The Center for Nutritional Psychology based on the new article entitled “High LEAP2 Levels Linked to Anorexia Nervosa Relapse Risk,” authored by Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. Read medicalxpress.com