Brain signs that predict relapse after anorexia treatment
Official title: Neural predictors of outcome during relapse prevention treatment for anorexia nervosa
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10773115 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at patterns of brain activity to help predict which adults with anorexia nervosa are likely to stay well after weight-restoration treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $202,585 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MH132085-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10773115 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with anorexia nervosa (age 21 and older) who have recently achieved weight restoration through inpatient treatment and are entering relapse-prevention care.
✕Less likely to help
People under 21, those who have not recently been hospitalized and weight-restored, or individuals with unstable medical conditions may not be eligible or see direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If you take part, you would be scanned with fMRI to measure brain activity related to habits and food restriction after you reach a healthy weight in inpatient care. You would be enrolled in a relapse-prevention program called REACH+ and randomly assigned to different versions of the therapy. Researchers will compare brain scans and clinical outcomes to see which brain patterns relate to staying well or relapsing. The goal is to link brain measures to longer-term recovery following inpatient weight normalization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could help identify who needs more intensive follow-up and steer people toward relapse-prevention approaches that fit their brain-behavior profile.
How similar studies have gone: Other psychiatric research has found that brain activity and connectivity can predict treatment response, but using neural predictors specifically for anorexia relapse prevention is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
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New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Muratore, Alexandra Felicia — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Muratore, Alexandra Felicia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Relapse prevention for anorexia nervosa by changing habits
This project tests habit-focused relapse-prevention treatments to help adults with anorexia nervosa stay well after completing acute treatment.
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A virtual program to help prevent relapse in anorexia nervosa by facing food-related fears.
This study is testing a friendly online program designed to help people recovering from anorexia nervosa face their fears about food and social situations, making it easier for them to stay on track and avoid setbacks in their recovery.
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REACH+ program to prevent relapse in adults with anorexia nervosa
A program for adults with anorexia nervosa to reduce relapse after hospital treatment by testing habit-focused behavioral components.
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Understanding brain factors that predict recovery from anorexia nervosa
This study is looking at how brain activity can help predict whether people with anorexia nervosa, who have recently gained weight, will do well in a special treatment program that helps change eating habits, so they can get the best support possible.
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Improving prevention of relapse in anorexia nervosa
This study is all about helping people with anorexia nervosa stay healthy after they leave the hospital by finding better ways to change the habits that make it hard for them to eat well.
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Understanding how habits influence anorexia nervosa and its remission
A research study will explore how habitual eating patterns and brain systems keep anorexia nervosa going, and how these habits might change when people recover.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.