Examining a new therapy for adolescents with low weight eating disorders
Official title: A Confirmatory Efficacy Study of Interoceptive Exposure for Adolescents with Low Weight Eating Disorders
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11013332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new therapy called family-based interoceptive exposure (FBT-E) to see if it helps teenagers with low weight eating disorders, like anorexia, feel better and gain weight compared to the usual family-based therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,078 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131655-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-18 who are diagnosed with low weight eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 12-18 or those not diagnosed with low weight eating disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel therapy called family-based interoceptive exposure (FBT-E) for adolescents suffering from low weight eating disorders like anorexia nervosa. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of FBT-E against traditional family-based therapy (FBT) in improving weight and reducing eating disorder symptoms over a 12-month period. Participants will be adolescents aged 12-18, and the research will involve a randomized controlled trial to assess both short-term and long-term outcomes. The approach focuses on reducing food avoidance and enhancing body awareness through targeted therapeutic techniques.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for adolescents with low weight eating disorders, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from earlier studies suggest that similar therapeutic approaches have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this confirmatory trial.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hildebrandt, Thomas B — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Hildebrandt, Thomas B
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
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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.
-
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.