Understanding Personalized Risk for Suicide in Anorexia Nervosa
Official title: Longitudinal Personalized Dynamics Among Anorexia Nervosa Symptoms, Core Dimensions, and Physiology Predicting Suicide Risk
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11166632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand the unique patterns of symptoms, feelings, and body responses in people with anorexia nervosa that might lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $735,263 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131633-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11166632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults, 21 years or older, diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, who are willing to provide intensive real-time data.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or are under 21 years old would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Anorexia nervosa is a severe mental illness with a high risk of suicide, but we don't fully understand why some individuals are at higher risk. This project will collect detailed, real-time information from people with anorexia nervosa about their symptoms, feelings like anxiety and agitation, and how their bodies respond to stress. By looking at these factors over time, we hope to identify specific interactions that predict when someone might experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors. This personalized approach will help us pinpoint the most important factors to address in new prevention and treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify individuals with anorexia nervosa at highest risk for suicide and develop more targeted prevention and treatment plans.
How similar studies have gone: While some factors contributing to suicide risk in anorexia nervosa are known, this project uses novel, cutting-edge methods to understand the dynamic, personalized interactions of these factors in real-time.
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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Longitudinal Picture of Anorexia Nervosa and Suicide Risk
A study following adults with anorexia nervosa to understand how mood, arousal, and eating disorder symptoms relate to suicide risk over time.
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Understanding the relationship between anorexia nervosa symptoms and suicide risk
This study is looking at how symptoms of anorexia nervosa and different emotional factors can affect the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with the goal of finding better ways to help those who might be struggling.
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Understanding how anorexia nervosa symptoms relate to suicide risk over time
This study is looking at how different symptoms of anorexia nervosa might be linked to thoughts and behaviors related to suicide, with the goal of helping to find better ways to support and treat people who are struggling with these issues.
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Understanding Invisible Suicide Risks in Youth: A National Study in Guyana
A nationwide study in Guyana aims to learn about hidden factors that contribute to suicide risk among young people so we can prevent tragedy.
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Mobile safety planning for at-risk young adults
A digital, text-based safety planning program for young adults (ages 18–24) to help prevent suicide and stay connected to support.
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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.
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.