Eating disorders

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder; however, it remains under-researched. At present, there are few effective treatments for this condition and no approved medications in the UK.

Recently, drugs that target appetite-regulating hormones, such as GLP1R agonist medications, have gained attention for their potential to manage binge eating. Dr Ilaria Costantini from University College London and her team have carried out a preliminary review of clinical trials, showing that these drugs may, in fact, help to reduce binge-eating episodes. However, due to the trials' small size and short follow-up periods, the findings are less reliable and unable to shed light on the long-term benefits or risks of the drugs.

In this project, Dr Costantini will use genetic methods, including drug-target Mendelian randomization, to safely and efficiently assess the potential effectiveness, mechanisms, and safety of medications targeting appetite-regulating hormones like GLP1R.

The team will use genetic data from over one million individuals to assess the efficacy of the drugs, the mechanisms through which they operate, and their possible side effects - for instance, the researchers will monitor the impact on restrictive eating behaviours and other mental health problems. They aim to work closely with people with lived experience over the course of the project, to ensure their findings are meaningful and free from stigma.