Estrogen's protection of the brain barrier in teens with restrictive eating disorders
Estrogen's Neuroprotective Effects on the Brain-Barrier in Restrictive Eating Disorders
Looks at whether estrogen treatment protects the brain barrier and reduces inflammation in adolescent females with restrictive eating disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177049 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will compare short-term estrogen replacement to a placebo in adolescent females with restrictive eating disorders who have low estrogen. They'll collect blood samples to measure inflammation markers and use non-invasive brain imaging to examine brain-barrier health, including tissue volume, blood flow, and extracellular fluid. This work builds on a related 12-week estrogen replacement trial and combines clinical, imaging, and laboratory measures. The study aims to link hormonal treatment, changes in brain inflammation or barrier function, and core eating-disorder symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescent females with restrictive eating disorders who have low estrogen levels and are medically able to receive short-term estrogen replacement.
Not a fit: People who are male, do not have estrogen deficiency, have other types of eating disorders, or have medical contraindications to estrogen are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower brain inflammation and lead to better cognitive and psychiatric outcomes for teens with restrictive eating disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows estrogen can have protective and anti-inflammatory effects in the brain and a related 12-week estrogen trial is ongoing, but using estrogen to target brain-barrier dysfunction in restrictive eating disorders is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Breithaupt, Lauren — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Breithaupt, Lauren
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 below.