What we are studying

The CARE study (Children and Adolescents with Avoidant/Restrictive Eating) is a 2-year study for young people ages 18-22 years old (males and females) that evaluates the different mechanisms that are involved in “picky” or restrictive eating. Specifically, we are interested in young people who have difficulty eating a variety of foods (due to taste, smell, or texture) or difficulty eating enough food (because they forget to eat or are afraid something bad will happen to them when they eat). The study examines the hormones and regions in the brain involved in emotion, fear, and sensory processing using brain imaging techniques (fMRI) and serial blood draws in comparison to healthy volunteers. Our aim is to understand what causes young people to engage in picky or restrictive eating, and to develop more specific and targeted treatment plans for those with these types of eating disorders. The study involves a screening visit to determine eligibility (3 hours), a morning visit which will include a meal, questionnaires, blood draws, two MRI scans and a snack (about 6-7 hours) and the 1 and 2 year follow-up visits (3 hours). Eligible participants will be compensated up to $550 for completing the study. Local transportation and parking costs will be reimbursed. To find out if you are eligible to participate, please click on the link below to take the pre-screening survey or contact Megan Kuhnle at 617-726-0047 or by email at mkuhnle@mgh.harvard.edu for more information. https://redcap.partners.org/redcap/surveys/?s=CEEHL9D3MD

Why it is important

What we hope to accomplish