Investigating brain changes in anorexia nervosa and their impact on treatment 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-11072087 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how anorexia nervosa affects the brain to help us understand why some treatments work better than others, and it’s for anyone interested in improving care for people with this eating disorder.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $523,499 |
| NIH project number | 5U01MH136221-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072087 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 anorexia nervosa or related eating disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or are outside the age range of 12 to 20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the neurobiological mechanisms behind anorexia nervosa (AN), a severe eating disorder with high mortality rates. By utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques, the study aims to identify brain alterations associated with AN and how these changes affect treatment responses and long-term outcomes. The research will involve collaboration among global experts to gather data on clinical measures, risk factors, and brain abnormalities, ultimately seeking to improve understanding and treatment of this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies and better outcomes for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding brain mechanisms in eating disorders, but this initiative aims to expand on those findings with a global perspective.
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
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.
-
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
A teen-friendly digital program uses gamification and acceptance-based techniques to help 15-year-olds manage body image and related eating concerns earlier, before patterns become hard to change.
-
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.
-
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.