Actively Recruiting
Neural Correlates of Autistic Individuals With Anorexia Nervosa
Led by University of Aberdeen · Updated on 2026-05-05
50
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
54 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Aberdeen
Lead Sponsor
N
NHS Grampian
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Masking is a behaviour or strategy used by many Autistic people to appear non-Autistic and blend in with a neurotypical society. The goal of this observational study is to understand the relationship between masking, anorexia nervosa symptoms and brain structure in Autistic people. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Do Autistic individuals with anorexia nervosa show differences in structure or function of the brain relation to Autistic individuals without anorexia nervosa? * Do Autistic individuals with anorexia nervosa display higher levels of masking than Autistic individuals without anorexia nervosa? * Are there indeed relationships between levels of masking, anorexia nervosa symptoms and brain structure in Autistic people? Researchers will compare Autistic people without anorexia nervosa to Autistic people with anorexia nervosa to see if there are differences between groups. Participants will: * Complete a series of questionnaires focused on eating disorder symptoms, autistic traits, autistic masking and psychological well-being * Undergo an MRI scan at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Neural Correlates of Autistic Individuals With Anorexia Nervosa
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 25 to 45 years
- Clinically diagnosed as Autistic or Autism Quotient (AQ-10) score of 6 or higher
- Able to provide informed consent for the study
- Able to read, understand, and respond to questionnaires in English
- For Autistic controls: no history of an eating disorder
- For Autistic individuals with anorexia nervosa: diagnosis of anorexia nervosa or body mass index below 18.5
- Willing to have an MRI scan in Aberdeen
You will not qualify if you...
- Younger than 25 or older than 45 years
- Not Autistic or not clinically diagnosed and AQ-10 score below 6
- Diagnosed with an eating disorder other than anorexia nervosa
- History of brain injury such as stroke
- Unable to provide informed consent for the study
- Have contraindications to MRI scanning such as implantable cardiac devices
- Unable to read, understand, and respond to questionnaires in English
- Intellectual disability preventing self-consent and questionnaire completion
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Lilian Sutton Building
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom, AB25 2ZD
Actively Recruiting
2
NHS Grampian Eating Disorder Services
Aberdeen, Aberdeen City, United Kingdom, AB25 2ZD
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Michelle Sader, PhD
CONTACT
G
Gordon Waiter, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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