WHO WE ARE

EDGI is a collaborative effort between King’s College London, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource and Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity. For more information on each organisation, please read below or visit their webpages.

NIHR BioResource

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) BioResource is a group of re-contactable volunteers who are willing to be approached to take part in research studies. To date, 150,000 volunteers have donated biological samples and allowed secure access to their medical records and clinical information for research purposes. This enables research to occur at a quicker rate so that we can better understand both physical and mental health conditions and discover new treatment options. Throughout England, there are 13 NIHR BioResource and Clinical Research Facilities. EDGI is funded and supported by the NIHR BioResource.

NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley at King’s College London

The NIHR BioResource Centre Maudsley is focussed on mental health research as part of the NIHR BioResource. The centre supports a large range of mental health studies to recruit new participants into the NIHR BioResource, and also leads EDGI which is the UK’s largest eating disorder research study. They also run the world’s largest genetic study into anxiety and depression called the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) study aiming to recruit 40,000 individuals with anxiety and/or depression.

Beat

We at EDGI have partnered with Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, which “exists to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.” Beat works directly with people with lived experience of eating disorders and their families. Beat works tirelessly to highlight the challenges of those affected and campaigns for change. For more information on Beat and its support services, please visit the Beat webpage or our dedicated page to Beat in our resources section.

The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.