B3012 - Using modern causal inference methods to investigate the role of inflammation in the aetiology of eating disorders - 11/12/2017

B number: 
B3012
Principal applicant name: 
Francesca Solmi | UCL (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants: 
Prof Glyn Lewis, Prof Cynthia Bulik, Prof Bianca De Stavola, Dr Golam Khandaker, Professor Christina Dalman, Dr Karoline Kuchenbaecker
Title of project: 
Using modern causal inference methods to investigate the role of inflammation in the aetiology of eating disorders
Proposal summary: 

Eating disorders are severe psychiatric conditions usually starting in adolescence. Their cause is
poorly understood.

Research has shown that infections in pregnancy and childhood, autoimmune disorders (e.g. type-1
diabetes), and inflammation (i.e. the body’s response to infection or injury) could increase a
person’s risk of developing mental health problems, including depression and psychosis. However,
little research has investigated the relationship between inflammation and eating disorders.
To address this question I will study whether: 1) exposure to infection during pregnancy or
childhood; 2) having high levels of inflammation in childhood; 3) carrying high genetic risk for
autoimmunity increase a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder.

The studies I will carry out use new approaches bringing together eating disorder data, biological markers of inflammation, and genes. This research will help to understand more about what causes eating disorders so that we can develop interventions to reduce the risk.

Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 6 December, 2017
Date proposal approved: 
Wednesday, 6 December, 2017
Keywords: 
Epidemiology, Diabetes, Eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia, Eczema, Infection, Mental health, Respiratory - asthma, Genomics - structural variants, Statistical methods, Biological samples -e.g. blood, cell lines, saliva, etc., Biomarkers - e.g. cotinine, fatty acids, haemoglobin, etc., Statistical methods, BMI, Cognition - cognitive function, Genetics - e.g. epigenetics, mendelian randomisation, UK10K, sequencing, etc., Hormones - cortisol, IGF, thyroid, Immunity, Methods - e.g. cross cohort analysis, data mining, mendelian randomisation, etc., Nutrition - breast feeding, diet, Offspring