Creating a biomarker to understand how opioid antagonists work in adolescents with eating disorders
Official title: Development of a Pharmacodynamic Biomarker of Opioid Antagonism in Adolescents with Eating Disorders
Funded at Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) · NIH-11094935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $183,980 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MH130728-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11094935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the adolescent age range or those not diagnosed with eating disorders may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stancil, Stephani L — Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
- Study coordinator: Stancil, Stephani L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Global brain imaging study to understand anorexia in teens and how it affects outcomes
A large international study using brain scans to learn why anorexia nervosa develops, how it affects teens, and what predicts recovery or relapse.
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Anxiety and body-sense as a warning for eating disorders in kids
This project looks at whether anxiety and how kids sense their internal body signals can signal the kind of eating problems that lead to eating disorders in children and teens.
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FlexED: a fun digital program to help teens with eating concerns
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3-D bedside scanning to track malnutrition in anorexia nervosa
A bedside 3D optical scan method will help track malnutrition in adolescents with anorexia nervosa during hospitalization.
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Reducing minority stress to help sexual minority adults with eating disorders
This project tests a new, identity-affirming treatment approach designed to help sexual minority adults with eating disorders by addressing stigma-related stress and coping skills.
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Restrictive eating disorders and brain white matter development in youths
Researchers will study how restrictive eating disorders affect brain white matter development in young people using brain scans and related data.
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.