About EDGI2

EDGI2 BACKGROUNDER

EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025

About the Eating Disorders Genetics Initative 2 (EDGI2)

The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2
(EDGI2) is the world’s largest genetic
investigation of eating disorders ever
performed.
EDGI2 aims to identify the hundreds of
genes that influence a person’s risk of
developing the complex, devastating
illnesses of anorexia nervosa, bulimia
nervosa, binge-eating disorder and
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
(ARFID), to improve treatment, and
ultimately, save lives.
Identification of the genes that predispose
individuals to eating disorders will revolutionise future research into causes, treatment and prevention of the illness.
EDGI2 follows the ground-breaking advances made in the initial EDGI investigation and collaborative Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI), in which researchers, including the EDGI team, identified the first eight genes for anorexia nervosa that implicate both psychiatric and metabolic causes for the condition. This was a total surprise and a finding that urgently needs replication and expansion to fully understand the pathways that lead to this debilitating condition – hence the need for a much larger sample size, which is the aim of EDGI2.
QIMR Berghofer in Brisbane is leading the Australian arm of the study in collaboration with the InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders.
Geneticist and Head of the Genetic Epidemiology Research Group at QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane, Professor Nick Martin, is leading the Australian arm of the EDGI2 study, alongside co-investigator Professor Sarah Maquire OAM at the InsideOut Institute, Sydney. Clinical Psychiatrist and Distinguished Professor of Eating Disorders in the Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, USA, Professor Cynthia Bulik, is leading the international study.
Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom and Denmark each have centres contributing to this important initiative.
The Australian researchers aim to recruit more than 4,000 Australians, including people who have experienced an eating disorder, and a control group (those who have never had an eating disorder aged 40 years or older) by December 31, 2025.
This ground-breaking research should identify dozens of genes that influence a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder.
Cracking the genetic code of eating disorders will enable the development of new, and more effective, personalised treatments that will target the problem directly.
Many international studies to date, have explored a person’s genetic predisposition to eating disorders. However, only a handful of the specific predisposing genes have been identified, and there are many more to be found.
Study researchers will analyse DNA from saliva samples collected through the study to find specific genes associated with eating disorders.
Before analysis can begin, DNA will be extracted from the saliva sample and genotyped to provide a ‘read out’ of each participant’s genetic code.

The analysis process, known as a
‘genome-wide association study (GWAS),
involves comparing the genotypes of
people with experience of an eating
disorder, to the genotype of those yet to
experience an eating disorder.
The study will allow the researchers to
identify genetic factors that determine
why some people experience eating
disorders, while others do not, and why
some people living with eating disorders
respond to certain treatments, while
others do not.
Comparing the results of the EDGI2 study
with the results from studies into other
conditions will also help the researchers to understand the genetic relationship among eating disorders and commonly co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or substance use problems, or some metabolic conditions or other health problems.

Study participation

Participating in this study could make a genuine contribution to the future diagnosis, management and treatment of eating disorders.
Study participation is strictly confidential. All participant information provided will be maintained in accordance with the Commonwealth Privacy Act (1988) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines.
Study participation involves providing informed consent and
completing a short, 15–20 minute, online survey.
After completing this core survey, eligible participants will be
asked to donate a saliva sample.
Study participants will also be given the option to complete
further short modules on important topics related to their
eating disorder experience, including mood, treatment,
and personality.
Researchers will send a saliva collection kit together with a
pre-paid return envelope to selected participants.
EDGI2 researchers will extract DNA from saliva samples to
identify specific genes associated with eating disorders.

To volunteer for, or learn more about the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2), head to edgi2.org.au or email edgi2@qimrb.edu.au.

Should you suspect you, or a loved one, may be living with an eating disorder, speak to your local healthcare practitioner without delay, or head to insideoutinstitute.org.au to complete their online screener and assessment, and to access more information and links to professional support.

Australian professional patient support services offering 24/7 helpline services include:

Butterfly National Helpline: 1800 334 673
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
LifeLine: 13 11 14
Men’s Line Australia: 1300 78 99 78
Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800

Issued by VIVA! Communications on behalf of QIMR Berghofer.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Kirsten Bruce & Sam Jacobs, VIVA! Communications

T 0401 717 566 | 0422 654 404 | 02 9968 3741/1604

E kirstenbruce@vivacommunications.com.au | sam@vivacommunications.com.au

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