Current Research Studies

We have a number of active studies that are currently recruiting individuals with eating disorders, who have recovered from eating disorders, and who have never had an eating disorder. Please see below for our current research studies and who to contact if you are interested in participating. If you or your child would like to be considered to participate in any future studies, please join our research registry below. As part of this registry, our research team will reach out to you if you or your child is deemed eligible for any future studies, based on your survey responses. If you have any further research participation questions, please contact us at edresearch@health.ucsd.edu.
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Therapeutic Ketogenic Diet in Anorexia Nervosa

About the study

This study will investigate the effects of a therapeutic ketogenic diet (TKD) on eating behavior, including drive to restrict, body dissatisfaction, mood, and anxiety in individuals with anorexia nervosa who have been weight normalized (body mass index of 17.5 or greater) but continue to struggle with eating disorder behaviors including a high drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

In this 14-week study, study participants will be carefully assessed and oriented to the ketogenic diet according to the procedures in our small previous trial (Calabrese et al., 2022). The study will be conducted in a university medical environment, showing feasibility and safety in a typical medical setting. A commercial supplier will provide the ketogenic diet. After ketosis induction over two weeks, study participants will be assessed weekly for ketosis and mood, anxiety, and eating disorder symptoms.

WE’RE RECRUITING

Individuals ages 18 to 45 years old who have been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa who have been weight normalized but continue to have high impairment from the illness with a high (2 standard deviations above average) drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction and a high drive for food restriction and thus are at high risk for full relapse.

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $600 for completing all study procedures. You may also be compensated for travel if you reside outside of the San Diego region.

For more information or to see if you are eligible, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.ucsd.edu/trial/NCT06000774

Incentive Processing and Learning in Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

About the study

Researchers at UC San Diego are conducting an imaging research study on women with eating disorders to help us examine the neurobiology of eating disorders. We will investigate areas of the brain responsible for ‘liking’, ‘wanting’, and learning using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, a test meal, and self-report questionnaires and interviews.

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

This research study involves one phone call and three study visits over one year:

  • Brief screening typically over the phone (~30 minutes)
  • Visit 1 – Interviews/Surveys/Physical Evaluation (~3 hours)
  • Visit 2 – fMRI imaging/Computer tasks/Surveys/Study Meal (~5 hours)
  • Visit 3 – 1-Year Follow Up Interviews/Surveys/Study Meal (~4 hours)

WE’RE RECRUITING

You may be eligible if you are:

  • between the ages of 18 and 39,
  • currently have an eating disorder OR never had an eating disorder

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $450 for completing all study procedures and receive pictures of your brain.

For more information or to see if you are eligible, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.ucsd.edu/trial/NCT05056597

Avoidance-Driven Decision Making And Learning In Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Nervosa

About the study

Researchers at UC San Diego are conducting an imaging research study on women with eating disorders to help us examine the neurobiology of eating disorders. We will investigate areas of the brain responsible for avoidance learning using brain imaging techniques, computer tasks, self-report questionnaires, and interviews.

What you'll be asked to do

This research study involves one phone call and two study visits:

  • Brief screening typically over the phone (~30 minutes)
  • Visit 1 – Interviews/Physical Evaluation (~3 hours)
  • Visit 2 – fMRI imaging/Computer tasks/Surveys (~3 hours)

WE’RE RECRUITING

You may be eligible if you are:

  • between the ages of 18 and 39,
  • currently have an eating disorder OR never had an eating disorder

COMPENSATION

Participants may receive up to $150 for completing all study procedures and receive pictures of your brain.

For more information or to see if you are eligible, please visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06566612

Precision Functional Mapping during treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

ABOUT THE STUDY

Anorexia nervosa is associated with widespread structural and functional brain changes that can rapidly change over the course of treatment. We are using “Precision Mapping” to advance our understanding of how the brain changes during treatment for Anorexia Nervosa at the individual level. By repeatedly sampling the same individual (hours of brain imaging data per subject, collected over many sessions), we can create precise, reliable functional activation and functional connectivity network maps for each person. This research has two specific aims. First, we aim to examine how brain structure and function changes over the course of treatment in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa. Second, we aim to determine which changes in brain structure and function are associated with symptom improvement and treatment response.

More Information

WHAT YOU’LL BE ASKED TO DO

  • Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans before, during (weekly), and after treatment
  • Questionnaires, interviews and computer tasks

WE’RE RECRUITING

Participants ages 18 and older who have been diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa

COMPENSATION

Participants will be compensated by cash for both MRI scans and completing behavioral questionnaires, and will also receive images of their brain!

For more information, please reach out to brainstudy@ucsd.edu.

Testimonial from a Past Participant

'Having the opportunity to participate in an eating disorder research study, as a result of a personal experience, was rewarding in many ways. The research staff was professional, organized & compassionate; I felt well-informed throughout the duration of the whole study. Not only did I get the opportunity to meet individuals who shared the same interest in learning more about such a life-threatening illness, I was also given great accommodation in San Diego and generous compensation. I look forward to participating in future opportunities! Thank you UCSD staff for a great experience!'

Research