Global brain imaging of anorexia and factors that affect recovery
The ENIGMA - Eating Disorders Initiative: A Global Neuroimaging Study of Anorexia and Factors Affecting Clinical Outcomes
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · NIH-11266189
This project collects and compares brain scans and clinical information from people with anorexia to find brain patterns linked to relapse, recovery, and treatment response.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11266189 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient viewpoint, researchers are pooling MRI brain scans and clinical records from many hospitals and research centers around the world to understand how anorexia changes the brain. They will compare people who are currently ill, those who have recovered, and healthy volunteers to separate effects of starvation from illness-related brain differences. The team will link brain features with clinical outcomes and genetic or risk factors to spot patterns that predict who is likely to relapse or recover. Findings may guide more personalized monitoring and treatment plans in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa—including adolescents and young adults—at various stages (currently underweight, early in illness, or recovered) who can share MRI scans and clinical information.
Not a fit: People without anorexia, those unable to undergo MRI, or those whose care settings do not participate in the consortium are unlikely to be able to join or benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to brain-based markers that help predict relapse risk and tailor treatments for people with anorexia.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller MRI studies have shown brain changes in anorexia but results were inconsistent, while ENIGMA-style large data pooling has produced robust findings in other psychiatric conditions and is now being applied to anorexia.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Los Angeles, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: THOMPSON, PAUL M — UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- Study coordinator: THOMPSON, PAUL M
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.