Genetics of Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Purpose of review: Genetic factors contribute to the etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). This review synthesizes the current state of knowledge about the genetic etiology of AN, provides directions for future research, and discusses clinical implications for this research.

Recent findings: Candidate gene meta-analyses indicate serotonin genes may be involved in the genetic etiology of AN. Three genome-wide association studies have been conducted and one genome-wide significant locus was identified. Cross-disorder analyses suggest shared genetic risk between AN and several psychiatric, educational, and medical phenotypes. Much has been learned about the genetic etiology of AN over the past 3 decades. However, to fully understand the genetic architecture, we must consider all aspects including common variation, cross-disorder analysis, rare variation, copy number variation, and gene-environment interplay. Findings have important implications for the development of treatment and prevention approaches and for how AN, and psychiatric and medical diseases in general, are conceptualized.

Keywords: 5-HT2A receptor gene; 5-HTT transporter gene; Anorexia nervosa; GWAS; Genome-wide association studies; Psychiatry.