International study marks step forward in genetic understanding of eating disorders
New research led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London, in collaboration with an international partnership of researchers, has, for the first time, compared the genetics of people with binge eating with those without any eating disorder. The paper also includes the largest-ever genetic study of anorexia nervosa.
A groundbreaking study led by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London has delved into the genetic factors behind eating disorders, revealing distinct genetic associations between binge eating and anorexia nervosa compared to body mass index (BMI). The research, published in Nature Mental Health, marks a significant step in understanding the unique biological underpinnings of these conditions.
Dr. Helena Davies, a postdoctoral research fellow at the IoPPN and joint-first author, emphasized that the study confirmed that eating disorders are not solely determined by body weight, as many of the genetic variants linked to these disorders differ from those associated with BMI. The researchers analyzed genetic data from over 40,000 individuals with binge eating and more than 1.2 million unaffected individuals, uncovering six genomic locations associated with binge eating and eight with anorexia nervosa in European populations.
Six of these anorexia loci had previously been identified in a 2019 study, reinforcing their role in the condition. Notably, two of the anorexia loci were identified for the first time. Dr. Jonathan Coleman, senior lecturer in statistical genetics and lead senior author, highlighted the importance of expanding this research to other eating disorders and global ancestries to ensure broader applicability and benefits for people worldwide.
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