Investigating Sensory Processing in Autism and Anorexia Nervosa v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating Sensory Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa
IRAS ID
244248
Contact name
Kate Tchanturia
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Anorexia (AN) is a severe eating disorder (ED) characterised by restricted energy intake culminating in a low body weight, a fear of gaining weight, and an undue influence of weight and shape on self-esteem. Recently, research has documented a heightened prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in AN. Significantly people this comorbidty experience poorer outcomes, with poorer response to treatment and longer illness duration comppared to those with AN only. However, the nature and implications of this co-morbidity remain unclear. those with comorbid AN/ASD may also experience factors motivating their food behaviour driven by their ASD that are not accounted for by traditional ED treatment models. One of these factors may be atypical sensory processing, which is thought to be a driver of food selectivity in ASD and is also known to be affected in AN. It is therefore possible that sensory processing difficulties represent a shared mechanism in AN and ASD, and that this may be particularly heightened in AN/ASD. This study is interested in two areas of sensory processing thought to be affected in these populations: interoception (referring to the processing of internal sensations such as hunger and satiety), and sensory aspects related to food (such as taste, smell, or sensitivity to texture).
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0193
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion