Anorexia is more than just a psychiatric condition Genetic study shows

Health 19:21 16.07.2019

Anorexia nervosa has long been treated as a purely psychiatric illness, however, a new study has cast doubt on this assumption, suggesting that the condition has metabolic roots too. The findings are reported in Nature Genetics.

Anorexia nervosa, often just referred to as anorexia, is a serious psychiatric condition that involves people massively restricting their food intake and often over-exercising. Patients often view themselves as much larger than they are and are frightened of gaining weight. Many factors can contribute to the development of anorexia, but patients often attribute it to a feeling of control when they’re struggling to control other aspects of their lives, notes eating disorder charity Beat.

Anorexia can lead to a wide variety of physical problems, including digestive issues and muscle loss as the body begins to digest muscle for fuel. This is particularly worrisome as the heart is a muscle, so risk of heart failure rises.

An international team of scientists led by King’s College London and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined the genetic makeup of 16,992 people with anorexia nervosa and 55,525 healthy people who acted as controls. Their cohort hailed from 17 countries in North America, Europe, and Australasia.

The team identified eight genetic variants connected to anorexia. As expected, mutations in this DNA could be linked to psychiatric problems like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and schizophrenia. However, the genetic basis of anorexia could also be linked to the body’s metabolism – the plethora of chemical processes taking place inside us, including those that control how we convert food into energy.

"Metabolic abnormalities seen in patients with anorexia nervosa are most often attributed to starvation, but our study shows metabolic differences may also contribute to the development of the disorder,” said study co-leader Dr Gerome Breen of King’s College London. “Furthermore, our analyses indicate that the metabolic factors may play nearly or just as strong a role as purely psychiatric effects."

The researchers believe that the genetic mutations linked to metabolism in people with anorexia nervosa may help them go for longer without eating. Essentially, the signals in the body that stimulate hunger during starvation are weaker than they would be in a healthy person.

"These are very important in controlling the set-point of weight," Professor Janet Treasure, of the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, told BBC News.

"It's possible that when people lose weight with anorexia nervosa, they haven't got such strong drivers getting the set-point back to normal."

The researchers also found that the genetic variants linked to anorexia influence physical activity, which could help us understand why patients often push themselves to do a great deal of exercise. They note that their findings should encourage a change in attitude in terms of how we view anorexia; rather than being seen as a solely psychiatric disorder, it should be classed as a metabo-psychiatric condition. Viewing anorexia in this light could improve how we treat this debilitating and often recurrent condition.

"This is ground-breaking research that significantly increases our understanding of the genetic origins of this serious illness,” said Andrew Radford, Chief Executive of Beat. “We strongly encourage researchers to examine the results of this study and consider how it can contribute to the development of new treatments so we can end the pain and suffering of eating disorders.

Read more:

Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO

News line

Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
Pakistan restricts foreign travels of ministers, government officials
20:39 18.03.2024
EU to boost military support fund for Ukraine by EUR 5 bln — Hungarian foreign minister
20:00 18.03.2024
Industrial zones to be created in Azerbaijan’s Zangilan, Jabrayil, and Gubadli
19:16 18.03.2024
Reuters: Only an oil slump can stop Russia
19:00 18.03.2024
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, IDF says
18:33 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev congratulates people of Azerbaijan on occasion of Novruz holiday - UPDATED
18:00 18.03.2024
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
Jens Stoltenberg: We fully support Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity
17:47 18.03.2024
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
2 dead, 6 injured in Türkiye factory explosion
17:28 18.03.2024
Armenia’s anti-Russian policy reaches new level
17:11 18.03.2024
"The Middle Corridor plays a key role for Green Energy" - Expert Ali Pasha
16:45 18.03.2024
Central square of Khankandi named “Victory Square”
16:22 18.03.2024
President: We demonstrated tremendous heroism during the II Karabakh War and the anti-terror operation
16:16 18.03.2024
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus visited IEPF - PHOTOS - VIDEO
16:00 18.03.2024
Historic opportunity emerged to advance the Azerbaijani-Armenian peace agenda - FM Bayramov
15:21 18.03.2024
Bayramov and Stoltenberg discuss normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia
15:03 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan Defense Minister informs NATO chief on situation in Azerbaijan-Armenia conditional border -VIDEO
14:58 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg's visit to the Caucasus: "NATO is in panic" - OPİNİON
14:29 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
Hikmat Hajiyev holds discussions for upcoming COP29 with Chinese Vice FM
14:00 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg concludes his official visit to Azerbaijan
13:42 18.03.2024
Geomagnetic storm expected on March 20
13:33 18.03.2024
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
Mbappe celebrates his 250th goal in PSG
13:19 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev makes a phone call to Vladimir Putin
13:00 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev lit Novruz bonfire in Khankandi and congratulated Azerbaijani people
12:34 18.03.2024
Foreign students attacked in India over Ramadan prayers
12:30 18.03.2024
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
Spring comes to Northern Hemisphere
12:17 18.03.2024
Why does Azerbaijan matter to the European Union? - OPINION
12:00 18.03.2024
Number of human remains found in mass grave in Khojaly reaches 19
11:45 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
Hikmat Hajiyev meets Pakistani envoy to China
11:33 18.03.2024
EU Council to discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization
11:23 18.03.2024
Global Terrorism Index: Azerbaijan among countries with highest anti-terror rating worldwide
10:56 18.03.2024
Oil prices keep rising
Oil prices keep rising
10:40 18.03.2024
Stoltenberg: NATO looking forward to further strengthening partnership with Azerbaijan
10:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijani police found numerous weapons and ammunition in Khankandi
10:10 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev: There is a good chance for settlement of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations
09:57 18.03.2024
Putin warns about possible war between Russia and NATO
09:40 18.03.2024
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment of China
09:23 18.03.2024
Azerbaijan relocates 123 more residents to Fuzuli city
08:53 18.03.2024
President Ilham Aliyev held expanded meeting over dinner with Jens Stoltenberg
23:07 17.03.2024
Putin wins the presidential elections for fifth term, exit poll shows
22:43 17.03.2024
COP29 will be turning point, says NATO Secretary-General
21:54 17.03.2024
Hamısı