Understanding and changing how the brain sees appearance in body dysmorphic disorder
Official title: Neural mechanisms of perceptual abnormalities and their malleability in body dysmorphic disorder
Funded at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health · NIH-10857174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how the brains of people with body dysmorphic disorder process visual information about their appearance, hoping to find ways to help them see themselves more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toronto, Canada) |
| Project start | July 23, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $478,560 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH121520-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this type of research would be adults aged 21 and older who have been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have body dysmorphic disorder or are outside the adult age range would likely not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
People with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) often see flaws in their appearance that others don't notice, leading to significant distress. This project looks at how the brain's visual systems contribute to these distorted perceptions, specifically focusing on how the brain processes overall shapes versus fine details. Researchers are using special visual tests and techniques to understand if these brain processes can be changed. The goal is to identify new ways to help individuals with BDD perceive their appearance more realistically and improve their well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help individuals with body dysmorphic disorder see themselves more accurately and reduce their distress.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has identified abnormalities in visual processing in BDD, and early evidence suggests these processes might be modifiable.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feusner, Jamie — Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
- Study coordinator: Feusner, Jamie
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.