Anorexia Nervosa and proton MRS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Brain neurochemistry in Anorexia Nervosa using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7 Tesla: A pilot study
IRAS ID
154933
Contact name
Philip Cowen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford University Hospitals
Research summary
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder which, in adults, is often difficult to treat. There are no approved drug therapies and very little ongoing drug discovery in this area, partly because the underlying neurobiology of the disorder is not well understood. The aim of the present pilot study is to take advantage of a new high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system in Oxford to examine brain neurochemistry in Anorexia Nervosa with a precision and detail that has not been possible before. We will specifically test a hypothesis about a cellular antioxidant called glutathione, which has been implicated in other compulsive-type psychiatric disorders. However, the study will also enable the assessment of a wide range of neurochemicals, changes in which might provide valuable clues to future therapeutic approaches. In particular changes in glutathione levels, if present, might suggest entirely novel nutritional treatments. The study will consist of a single magnetic resonance imaging session in patients meeting standard diagnostic criteria for Anorexia Nervosa. We will also recruit a healthy control group so that findings in patients with Anorexia Nervosa can be compared to a normal range. The study will be carried out by the Oxford University Department of Psychiatry and is funded by the Medical Research Council. Patients will be recruited from the Cotswold House Eating Disorder Service provided by the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1055
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion