The present study is a placebo-controlled randomised study on the effects of estrogen
replacement upon AN-associated psychopathology, several neurocognitive domains and
appetite-regulating circuits in female patients with AN.
The investigators aim at assessing peripheral concentrations of neuroendocrinological
components of the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) and Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal
(HPA) axis, as well as appetite-regulating hormones in AN and to examine associations with
AN-associated psychopathology and neurocognitive performances before (baseline), during and
after inpatient psychotherapy of female patients receiving concomitant treatment with
estrogens (vs. placebo).