Original Research J Clin Psychiatry May 2026

Differential Impact of Cholecystokinin and Ghrelin on 2-Year Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Symptoms

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry. Clinical Summary Youth with ARFID often present with low appetite, early satiety, and persistent restriction, but clinicians have little biologic guidance for understanding which symptoms are tied to appetite signaling. This study helps separate 2 potentially relevant pathways: fasting CCK tracked with lack-of-interest symptoms, while fasting ghrelin tracked with overall ARFID severity over 2 years. FAQ What did this study find about CCK and lack-of-interest symptoms in ARFID over 2 years? 10 questions
Key Takeaways The clearest longitudinal signal was symptom-specific: decreases in fasting CCK tracked with improvement in PARDI-lack of interest at both Year 1 and Year 2, while CCK change was not associated with overall PARDI-severity. 6 takeaways Clinical Guide How can clinicians use fasting CCK and ghrelin findings to interpret symptom patterns and follow-up in youth with ARFID? 7 steps Patient Guide How can you keep track of ARFID symptoms in a helpful way to discuss with your doctor? 5 steps