What causes eating disorders in teens: combining brain scans, genes, and behavior
Official title: Towards an etiological model of adolescent eating disorders through neuroimaging, genetics, and behavior
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11289476 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will look for brain, genetic, and behavior signs in children and teens that could point to who might develop eating disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,442 |
| NIH project number | 5R00MH132886-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289476 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children and adolescents (about ages 9–18), especially girls with early eating concerns or those currently receiving treatment for an eating disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Adults well beyond adolescence or people with long-standing, chronic eating disorders may not directly benefit from this adolescent-focused research.
What this research studies
This work follows children and adolescents over time using brain scans, genetic risk information, and behavior measures to spot early warning signs of eating disorders. It uses large, existing ABCD study data covering roughly ages 9–14 plus a clinical group of adolescent girls in treatment to make findings more relevant to patients. In an initial phase the team will compare brain imaging and behavior patterns across groups, and in the later phase they will add genomic data and longer follow-up to build a predictive model. The aim is to find markers before a full disorder appears so care can be offered earlier.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify teens at risk sooner so they can receive earlier prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked brain differences and genetic risk to eating disorders, but combining large-scale imaging, genetics, and behavior to predict onset in adolescents is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Makowski, Carolina — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Makowski, Carolina
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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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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.