Research Program

Our diverse team of psychiatrists, clinical neuropsychologists and psychologists, computational neurobiologists, and research associates, coordinators, and interns conduct a variety of studies to better understand the neurobiological factors that contribute to eating disorders and test how directly targeting these factors may improve treatments.

The Eating Disorders Center Research Group Mission

Integrating approaches from imaging with behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and genetics to delineate the neural substrates of eating disorders

Our research integrates a number of brain imaging modalities and analytic techniques to understand brain structure and function in eating disorders. Dr. Kaye has also led a series of large-scale, collaborative studies on the genetics of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa with rigorous assessments and DNA from more than 5,000 individuals with eating disorders, their family members, and matched controls. A long-term goal of our genetics collaboration is to integrate understanding of patterns of genotypes with the neurochemistry of relevant brain networks.

Developing neurobiologically informed interventions for eating disorders

Our research team, in collaboration with our clinical team, develops and tests behavioral interventions for eating disorders based on its understanding of neurobiology.

Measuring treatment mechanisms

Our treatment program is committed to providing evidence-based treatment. This includes regular collection of neuropsychological and symptom-related data from patients interested in participating in our treatment-related research.

Training young investigators

Our program provides a rich training environment for students and fellows interested in developing expertise in neurobiology and neuroimaging.

Learn About Our Research

How Brain Biology Promotes Starvation in Patients with Anorexia Nervosa. — Walter H. Kaye, M.D.
Altered Anticipation and Processing of Aversive Interoceptive Experience Among Women Remitted from Bulimia Nervosa. — Laura Berner, Ph.D.
Could Repetitive Negative Thinking Interfere With Corrective Learning? The Example of Anorexia Nervosa. — Erin Reilly, Ph.D.
Research Study: New Medication for Bulimia. — Erin Reily, Ph.D.
Alexithymia: The Inability to Identify and Describe One's Own Emotions. — Tiffany Brown, Ph.D.
Interoceptive Awareness — Tiffany Brown, Ph.D.
Brain Imaging and Eating Disorders — Walter H. Kaye, M.D.