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REACT Study

Restrictive Eating and Athlete Cognition Trial

A study for 14-35 year old females with restrictive eating and/or athletes who have missed periods in the last 6 months

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Study Aim
 

Research has shown that females with eating disorders have lower levels of estrogen, leading to irregular or missed periods. Estrogen is involved in mental flexibility and reward responsiveness. This study aims to investigate whether replacing estrogen levels in young females with restrictive eating and/or athletes who have irregular periods will improve mental flexibility and reward responsiveness. 

The study will be 4 months long and will include 4 visits: a screening visit, a baseline visit, an 8 week visit, and a 12 week visit. 

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Study Visits
Total Compensation up to $525
Initial Screening Visit:
  • History, Physical, and Bloodwork

  • Psychological assessment

  • Brief questionnaires

Baseline:
  • History, Physical, and Bloodwork

  • Behavioral interview

  • Brief questionnaires

  • Neuroimaging MRI scans

  • Computer tasks

  • Food diary

8 Week Visit:
  • History and Bloodwork
  • Brief questionnaires
  • Neuroimaging MRI scans
  • Computer tasks
12 Week Visit:
  • History, Physical, and Bloodwork
  • Behavioral interview
  • Brief questionnaires
  • Neuroimaging MRI scans
  • Computer tasks

If you are eligible and interested in the study, we will contact you to schedule a screening visit. This visit will help us determine if you are eligible beyond what we can learn from you over the phone. 

Interested in learning more?

 

  • Click here to view some of our study clinicians discuss how restrictive eating can impact the brain and body.

  • Click here to read about one coach's new approach to training female athletes.

  • Click here to listen to a podcast about female Olympians and Paralympians from Harvard Kennedy School's Women and Public Policy Program.

  • Click the box below to read more about our unit's research. 

Study Coordinators: 
Meghan Lauzé

617-643-4034

Click here to email

Felicia Petterway

617-724-6046

Click here to email

Principal Investigators: 
Kamryn Eddy, PhD
Madhu Misra, MD MPH
Poornima Kumar, PhD
(Site PI; McLean Hospital)
Nurse Practitioner: 
Meghan Slattery, FNP

617-643-0267

Click here to email

Co-Investigators: 
Lauren Breithaupt Langston, PhD
Elizabeth
Lawson, MD
Franziska Plessow, PhD

Jennifer Thomas, PhD
Diego Pizzagalli, PhD
(McLean Hospital)
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