The National Institute of Mental Health is funding a study to find the inherited factors that may contribute to anorexia. In the past anorexia was thought to be caused by cultural factors. However, recent studies have shown that genes also play a large role in the development of eating disorders.
· Anorexia is characterized by severe weight loss and extreme fear of weight gain.
· Individuals with anorexia often engage in excessive physical exercise and other extreme measures to avoid gaining weight.
· Anorexia and other eating disorders often run in families.
· Anorexia is a debilitating disease that can be fatal. It has the highest death rate of any psychiatric disorder.
· We need to learn more about the causes of anorexia in order to develop better treatments and prevent death.
What does the study involve?
¨ Families with at least two members who have or have had anorexia and who would be willing to participate are needed.
¨ The study involves the completion of interviews, questionnaires and a blood draw.
¨ You can participate from where you live. Assessments can be done by phone and mail.
¨ Participants will be paid upon completion of the study.
If you are interested in participating or obtaining more information about the study:
If you know any families who are affected by anorexia nervosa and might qualify for this study, please pass this information along to them.
"This crucial study will further our understanding of eating disorders. It is extremely important that families participate."
--Lynn Grefe, CEO National Eating Disorders Association
Principal Investigator: Walter H. Kaye, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
(NOTE: Lees Psychological Services is not involved in this study. We are only providing information about it to inform potential participants and to support the important efforts of this study. The information presented here is from the study brochure "Is Anorexia Nervosa a Genetic Disorder?").
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