Understanding how habits affect recovery from anorexia nervosa
Official title: No Way Around But Through: Mechanisms of Persistence and Remission of Habits in Anorexia Nervosa
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10585957 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people with anorexia nervosa find it hard to change their eating habits, even after getting help, by exploring how habits form in the brain, and it hopes to find better ways to support recovery for those affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $695,451 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH129350-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10585957 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who are experiencing persistent restrictive eating behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have anorexia nervosa or those who are not currently struggling with restrictive eating patterns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the persistence and remission of habits in individuals with anorexia nervosa. It aims to understand why some patients struggle to change their restrictive eating behaviors, even after treatment, by examining the role of habit formation and neural activity in the brain. Through a series of experiments, researchers will assess both habitual and goal-directed behaviors to identify factors that contribute to ongoing illness or successful recovery. The findings could lead to improved treatment strategies for those affected by this serious eating disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective interventions that help individuals with anorexia nervosa achieve and maintain remission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding habit formation in various mental health disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights for anorexia nervosa as well.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steinglass, Joanna E — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Steinglass, Joanna E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how habits influence anorexia nervosa and its remission
A research study will explore how habitual eating patterns and brain systems keep anorexia nervosa going, and how these habits might change when people recover.
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Online guided self-help family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa
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Ketogenic Diet for Weight-Recovered Anorexia Nervosa to Support Metabolism and Eating-Disorder Symptoms
A research project will test a ketogenic diet to see if it helps people who have recovered weight from anorexia nervosa by normalizing brain metabolism and reducing core eating-disorder thoughts and behaviors.
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Point-of-care RH risk tool for refeeding in anorexia nervosa
A quick, clinician-friendly risk tool helps predict who with anorexia nervosa might develop dangerous low phosphorus during hospitalization, guiding safer feeding and monitoring.
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Guided Online Self-Help Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
A study tests if an online guided self-help version of family-based treatment works as well as standard treatment for teens with anorexia nervosa, in real-world clinics.
-
Online guided family-based program for adolescents with anorexia nervosa
This project offers an online guided family-based program to help adolescents with anorexia nervosa improve symptoms while using much less therapist time than standard family therapy.
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.