Global brain imaging study to understand anorexia in teens and how it affects outcomes
Official title: The ENIGMA - Eating Disorders Initiative: A Global Neuroimaging Study of Anorexia and Factors Affecting Clinical Outcomes
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11510576 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large international study using brain scans to learn why anorexia nervosa develops, how it affects teens, and what predicts recovery or relapse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $139,575 |
| NIH project number | 3U01MH136221-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11510576 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens aged 12-20 with anorexia nervosa who are in active follow-up, and who can undergo MRI scanning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to undergo MRI or who are not followed in specialized clinics may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project brings together clinicians and brain imaging experts from around the world to study teens with anorexia nervosa. It will collect and compare neuroimaging data and clinical information to identify brain changes linked to illness and treatment outcomes. The study aims to uncover which factors are most important for predicting remission or relapse and how starvation interacts with brain function. Participants may contribute through MRI scans and clinical assessments during follow-up visits. The findings could guide more effective, personalized care for adolescents facing this serious condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of brain factors behind anorexia could lead to more targeted and effective treatments for teens.
How similar studies have gone: Previous neuroimaging work in eating disorders has identified brain differences; this program expands to a global, collaborative framework which is relatively novel in scale.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thompson, Paul M — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Thompson, Paul M
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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.