Cytokines in anorexia nervosa
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cytokines and their relation to clinical characteristics in individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa
IRAS ID
222055
Contact name
Bethan Dalton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 17 days
Research summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disorder characterised by food restriction and weight-control behaviours resulting in severe weight loss. The rates of recovery and remission for adults with AN treated in eating disorder services are low. A greater understanding of the underlying biology that may contribute to the development or maintenance of AN is needed.
Our brain and behaviour are influenced by the immune system. Cytokines are important messenger proteins in the immune system. There are many different types of cytokines with different roles. They can be measured in the blood and can tell us a lot about inflammation in the body.
Research has shown that individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa tend to have elevated levels of certain cytokines in their blood. However, very few cytokines have been measured and there are a number of cytokines that are important for the immune system and the brain that have never been measured in individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Also, we do not know whether cytokine levels are different in individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa who have different clinical characteristics. These include factors such as illness duration, eating disorder symptom severity, and severity of co-morbid disorders (e.g. depression).
Therefore, in the current study, we want to measure a large range of cytokines to find out if the level of cytokines differ between healthy control participants and individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. We also want to investigate whether cytokine levels are related to certain clinical characteristics. This study will help us to understand if cytokines are involved in the underlying biology of anorexia nervosa. As there are medications available to influence cytokine production, cytokine levels and cytokine effects, our research may lead to the development of future treatments to help with anorexia nervosa.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2107
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion