Personalized treatment approaches for eating disorders
Official title: A Pilot Investigation of Network-Informed Personalized Treatment for Eating Disorders versus Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dynamic Mechanisms of Change
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-10738284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to treat eating disorders by customizing therapy to fit each person's needs, and it's for anyone dealing with conditions like anorexia or bulimia who wants to see if this personalized approach works better than the usual therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | December 17, 2021 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH128213-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10738284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with eating disorders who are under 21 years old or those who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment method for eating disorders that tailors therapy to individual patients' needs, compared to a standard cognitive behavioral therapy approach. The study aims to determine how well this personalized treatment works and whether it can lead to better outcomes for patients. By focusing on the unique symptoms and experiences of each individual, the research seeks to improve the effectiveness of treatment for conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the new personalized treatment or the standard therapy, allowing researchers to compare results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and personalized treatment options for individuals suffering from eating disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While personalized treatment approaches are gaining interest, this specific method is innovative and has not been extensively tested in the context of eating disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levinson, Cheri Alicia — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Levinson, Cheri Alicia
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.