Anorexia gene find raises treatment hopes

ANOREXIA is at least partly genetic, scientists have found, raising hopes of new treatments for the condition.

Researchers at King’s College London and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill identified eight genetic variants linked to anorexia.

The genetic basis of anorexia nervosa overlaps with metabolic, lipid and body measurement traits, they found. They say this is independent of genetic factors that influence body mass index.

Dr Gerome Breen, from the National Institute for Health Research’s Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre and King’s College, said: “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.

“Furthermore ... the metabolic factors may play nearly or just as strong a role as purely psychiatric effects.”

Another finding was that the genetic basis of anorexia overlaps with other psychiatric disorders such as obses- sive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

Genetic factors associated with anorexia also influence physical activity, which could explain the tendency for those with anorexia to be highly active.

The study – published in Nature Genetics – concluded that anorexia may need to be thought of as a hybrid “metabo-psychiatric disorder” and that it will be important to consider both metabolic and psychological risks factors when exploring new treatments.