Genetic Explanation of Anorexia Nervosa
- Created by: Rachie S
- Created on: 07-02-17 15:19
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- Genes Explaining Anorexia
- Epoxide Hydrolase 2 (EPHX2)
- EPHX2 produces an enzyme that metabolises cholesterol
- Anorexics seem to have higher cholesterol levels than expected considering they are malnourished
- The disorder may be caused by disruption in how the body processes cholesterol
- Could affect mood and eating behaviour
- Comparisons of women with and without anorexia showed significant difference in EPHX2
- The disorder may be caused by disruption in how the body processes cholesterol
- Could affect mood and eating behaviour
- The disorder may be caused by disruption in how the body processes cholesterol
- EPHX2 produces an enzyme that metabolises cholesterol
- There is a genetic underpinning to anorexia on chromosome 1
- Suggesting there is some genetic susceptibilities
- Research into the genetic explanation involve twin studies
- Concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins are compared
- A higher concordance rate in MZ twins would suggest genetic links
- DZ- dizygotic (non identical)
- MZ- monozygotic (identical)
- Concordance rates in MZ and DZ twins are compared
- There is not one gene responsible for anorexia, but a number of genes and genetic markers
- First degree relatives of young women with anorexia nervosa
- Are over ten times more likely than average to have the disorder themselves
- Some key features are heritable- transmissible from parent to offspring
- A preoccupation with weight
- Binge eating
- A strong desire to be thin
- Dissatisfaction with one's body
- Grice et al 2002
- Initial findings did not show any significant genetic evidence until they focused on a subgroup of 37 families where at least 2 relatives had been diagnosed with anorexia
- In this sample there was strong evidence for a susceptibility on chromosome 1
- Similar markers were found in afflicted pairs
- In this sample there was strong evidence for a susceptibility on chromosome 1
- Followed 192 families where 1 member had been diagnosed with anorexia and at least 1 other member had received an eating disorder diagnosis
- Initial findings did not show any significant genetic evidence until they focused on a subgroup of 37 families where at least 2 relatives had been diagnosed with anorexia
- Scott-Van Zeeland et al 2013
- Found a specific genetic link when comparing 152 different genes in a sample of women with & a group without anorexia
- There were significant differences in and around the EPHX2 gene
- The gene produces the enzyme which metabolises cholesterol
- The disruption to cholesterol processing could affect mood and eating behaviours
- Epoxide Hydrolase 2 (EPHX2)
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