QIMR Berghofer is leading the Australian arm of the world’s largest genetic investigation into eating disorders and is calling for volunteers to take part in the study.

QIMR Berghofer researchers are seeking volunteers with a lived experience of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder to enrol in the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI).

Australian lead investigator and head of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer, Professor Nick Martin, said the study aims to identify hundreds of genes that influence a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder.

Following the ground-breaking advances made in the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI) – in which researchers identified both psychiatric and metabolic causes for anorexia nervosa – the research team is now expanding their work to include 3 major eating disorders.

‘We are looking for any Australians aged 13 and over, with first-hand experience of an eating disorder, to volunteer for this important genetic study,’ Professor Martin said.

EDGI researchers are seeking around 3,500 volunteers to take a survey and provide a saliva sample as part of the study.

‘Analysing the DNA from study saliva samples will allow us to pinpoint specific genes associated with eating disorders, which will help us to determine why some people experience eating disorders and why some people living with eating disorders respond to certain treatments, while others do not,’ Professor Martin said.

‘Identifying the genes that cause eating disorders will ultimately help to improve treatments and save lives, but we need more volunteers to come forward and take part.’