Since 2007, the University of North Carolina Eating Disorders Program has led a world effort to unite clinicians and researchers around the world in an effort to identify genes that may influence risk for eating disorders. This has resulted in the Genetic Consortium for Anorexia Nervosa (GCAN) which currently consists of researchers and clinicians from 16 countries around the world. Together with researcher from Kings College London, the UNC program has been honored to receive a grant from the Wellcome Trust (WTCCC3) to conduct genomewide association on over 4000 DNA samples from individuals with anorexia nervosa. All members of the consortium are gathering information about eating disorders course and genetic material (DNA) from any individual who currently has or has had an eating disorder in the past. This world-wide effort is inviting every person with current or past anorexia nervosa to take the time to roll up their sleeves and help us figure out the cause of eating disorders.

Call Colie Taico today at 919-843-9207 or her at ctaico@med.unc.edu  if you are interested in donating your blood to help us unlock the genetic code of eating disorders.