Brain differences in autistic adults with anorexia nervosa
Neuroanatomical Differences Associated With Anorexia Nervosa and Masking Behaviour in Autistic Individuals
This project uses MRI scans and questionnaires to see if autistic adults with anorexia nervosa show different brain structure or masking behaviors compared with autistic adults without an eating disorder.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 25 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Aberdeen Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Aberdeen, Aberdeen City and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07098156 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study compares autistic adults with anorexia nervosa to autistic adults without an eating disorder using a single 3T MRI scan and a set of demographic and behavioural questionnaires. Participants complete measures of eating disorder symptoms and masking alongside structural and functional brain imaging. The team will look for group differences in brain regions and test whether masking levels relate to anorexia symptoms and brain measures. Recruitment is limited to adults aged 25–45 who can attend a single visit in Aberdeen and complete questionnaires in English.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Autistic adults aged 25–45 who can consent, read and complete questionnaires in English, and who are willing to travel to Aberdeen for a single MRI visit—either with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or with no history of an eating disorder—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People younger than 25 or older than 45, non-autistic individuals, those unable to undergo MRI, or those who cannot complete English questionnaires are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians better understand links between masking and brain features in autistic people with anorexia, supporting more tailored diagnosis and treatment approaches.
How similar studies have performed: Previous MRI and behavioral work has linked autistic traits with eating disorders and shown associations between masking and mental health, but combining masking measures with brain imaging in autistic people with anorexia is a relatively novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy Autistic Individuals (Autistic Controls) must: * Be aged 25-45 years * Be Autistic (clinically diagnosed and/or have an Autism Quotient (AQ-10) score of ≥6) * Be able to provide informed consent for the study * Be able to read, understand and respond to questionnaires in English * Have no history of an eating disorder * Willing to have an MRI scan in Aberdeen Autistic Individuals with anorexia nervosa must: * Be aged 25-45 years * Be Autistic (clinically diagnosed and/or have an AQ-10 score of ≥6) * Be able to provide informed consent to the study * Be able to read, understand and respond to questionnaires in English * Have a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or a body mass index of \<18.5 * Willing to have an MRI scan in Aberdeen Exclusion Criteria: Individuals are not eligible for the study if they: * Are aged \<25 or \>45 years * Are not Autistic or not clinically diagnosed as Autistic and have an AQ-10 score of \<6 * Are diagnosed with an eating disorder other than anorexia nervosa * Have a history of brain injury (e.g., stroke) * Be unable to provide informed consent for the study * Have contraindications to MRI scanning, such has implantable cardiac devices * Are unable to read, understand and respond to questionnaires in English * As participants will need to consent to the study and complete questionnaires by themselves, individuals with intellectual disability will be excluded from this study
Where this trial is running
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City and 1 other locations
- Lilian Sutton Building — Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
- NHS Grampian Eating Disorder Services — Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Michelle Sader, PhD
- Email: michelle.sader3@abdn.ac.uk
- Phone: +441224438365
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.