Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Investigating the Brain and Body to Improve Treatment Outcomes

Feb 25, 2025

Eating disorders are serious mental and physical health conditions where a person makes serious changes to their regular eating behavior that are driven by persistent thoughts and feelings about food and their body. These changes can greatly affect a person’s health.

In recognition of Eating Disorders Awareness Week from Feb. 24^th – Mar. 2^nd, here are some ongoing research projects from Mass General Brigham investigators at the forefront of researching eating disorder prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Investigating the Link Between Anorexia Nervosa and Being an Early Riser

Previous research has suggested a connection between eating disorders and the body’s internal clock, or the circadian clock, which controls a wide range of biological functions such as sleep, mood and metabolism.

A research team led by Hannah Wilcox and Hassan S Dashti, PhD, RD, at Massachusetts General Hospital recently compared the genes associated with anorexia nervosa and the circadian clock to further investigate this link.

The researchers found that genes associated with being an early riser could increase the risk for anorexia nervosa and that having anorexia nervosa could lead to an earlier wake time.

This contrasts with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and binge eating disorder, which are often associated with later wake times. These findings could direct future investigations into new sleep and circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa.

Study Reveals New Genetic Link Between Anorexia Nervosa and Being an Early Riser

Binge-Eating Disorder Not as Transient as Previously Thought

Binge-eating disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time while experiencing a sense of loss of control. It is the most prevalent eating disorder in the US.

A study of adults with binge-eating disorder in the community, led by Kristin N. Javaras, DPhil, PhD at McLean Hospital, found that 61% of individuals still experienced symptoms of binge-eating disorder 2.5 years after diagnosis and that 45% still experienced symptoms of the disorder after five years.

These results contradict previous studies that found faster remission times for binge-eating disorder (those studies were conducted primarily in younger individuals at lower weights, however).

Since the study ended, Javaras and team have been working to develop new methods of assessing this disorder, investigating treatment options, and utilizing neuroimaging to get a better understanding of the neurobiology involved.

Binge Eating Disorder Not as Transient as Previously Thought

Discovering How Avoidant and Restrictive Eating Affects Hormones and Parts of the Brain

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder in which individuals limit the amount and type of food they eat, but lack a desire to change their weight.

ARFID typically presents in three ways: fear or phobia of choking or vomiting, a loss of appetite or interest in eating, and/or food aversion.

A current study led by Kendra Becker, PhD at Massachusetts General Hospital, aims to understand how ARFID affects different hormones and regions of the brain.

Using a combination of physical exams, MRI brain scans, and information about participants’ eating habits, the researchers hope to learn more about these connections.

Adults with Eating Difficulties Needed for Project FEED at MGH

Using Hormone Therapy to Treat Eating Disorders

Eating disorders that involve restrictive eating and/or excessive exercise are associated with inflexibility (difficulty doing things differently than usual) and lower response to rewards (less interest in things people enjoy).

Females with these eating disorders also often have lower levels of estrogen, a hormone that regulates the female reproductive system.

A new study led by Kamryn Eddy, PhD and researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital aims to determine if estrogen patches can improve mental flexibility and reward responsiveness in girls and women with restrictive eating.

This approach could also be applied to athletes who have irregular or missed periods as well.

Researchers hope that this study will lead to the development of more specific and targeted treatment plans for patients with eating disorders.

REACT: Restrictive Eating & Athletes Cognition Trial

Discovering Brain Differences in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex illness that affects both the mind and body, which makes treatment challenging.

Researchers are still working to understand the differences in the brain and related pathways that influence the onset and severity of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.

A team led by Lauren Breithaupt, PhD, and Laura Holsen, PhD, from Mass General Brigham is using advanced MRI technology (7-Tesla MRI) to look at differences in the size and shape of the amygdala in individuals with anorexia nervosa compared to healthy controls.

The amygdala, a key brain region involved in emotion, fear, and reward processing, is thought to play an important role in anorexia nervosa.

With 7T imaging, the researchers can study tiny subregions (nuclei) within the amygdala that may be linked to restrictive eating, anxiety, and difficulty changing behaviors.

By identifying these precise brain differences, we may get closer to developing more personalized treatments for patients.

Ultimately, 7T imaging could help pave the way for more effective, neuroscience-driven interventions for anorexia nervosa, improving recovery outcomes for those who need it most.

Help us learn more about the brain and how it is involved in eating disorders