Creating a biomarker to understand how opioid antagonists work in adolescents with eating disorders

Development of a Pharmacodynamic Biomarker of Opioid Antagonism in Adolescents with Eating Disorders

NIH-funded research Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) · NIH-11094935

This study is looking to find a way to better understand how certain medications can help teenagers with eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, so we can improve their treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionChildren's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094935 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a pharmacodynamic biomarker that can help measure the effects of opioid antagonists in treating adolescents with eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. The study aims to enhance early-stage drug development by using advanced techniques in neuroimaging and clinical trials specifically tailored for young patients. By understanding how these medications interact with the brain, the research seeks to improve treatment options for adolescents struggling with these serious conditions. The project is led by Dr. Stephani Stancil, who is dedicated to advancing pediatric neuropsychopharmacology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who are diagnosed with eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa or Binge Eating Disorder.

Not a fit: Patients outside the adolescent age range or those not diagnosed with eating disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for adolescents with eating disorders, potentially reducing their symptoms and improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While the development of pharmacodynamic biomarkers is a growing field, this specific approach targeting adolescents with eating disorders is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.

Where this research is happening

Kansas City, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.