Investigating immune system and gut health in anorexia nervosa
Official title: Immune Dysregulation in Eating Disorders (ID-ED)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11282748 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the immune system and gut health are connected to anorexia nervosa in women, comparing those with the condition to healthy women, to better understand how these factors might influence eating disorder symptoms and overall health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | February 13, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,189 |
| NIH project number | 7K23MH119566-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11282748 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other eating disorders or those not meeting the criteria for anorexia nervosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how immune dysregulation and gut microbiome composition affect women with anorexia nervosa (AN). The project will compare immune responses and gut health between women with AN and healthy individuals. It aims to identify specific inflammatory markers and their relationship to eating disorder symptoms, providing insights into the physiological changes associated with AN. The findings could help bridge the gap between physical health and psychological symptoms in patients with this condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment options for individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: While research on immune dysregulation and gut microbiome in eating disorders is emerging, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brodrick, Brooks Barrett — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Brodrick, Brooks Barrett
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.