Anorexia Nervosa: Get Help Before Chronicity Sets In
Author: Douglas Mental Health University Institute
Published: 2015/02/07 - Updated: 2021/09/08
Topic: Anorexia Nervosa (Publications Database)
Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Item
Synopsis: Research suggests the longer one suffers from anorexia nervosa, the more likely they are to show disorder-relevant alterations in DNA methylation.
• The results of this work imply that epigenetic mechanisms may underlie some of the consequences of anorexia nervosa that affect nervous system functioning, psychological status and physical health.
• These findings help clarify eating disorders are not about superficial body image concerns or the result of bad parenting. They represent real biological effects of environmental impacts in affected people, which then get locked in by too much dieting.
Introduction
A study led by Howard Steiger, PhD, head of the Douglas Mental Health University Institute Eating Disorders Program (EDP), in Montreal, in collaboration with Linda Booij, a researcher with Sainte-Justine Hospital and an assistant professor at Queen's University, is the first to observe effects suggesting that the longer one suffers from active anorexia nervosa (AN), the more likely they are to show disorder-relevant alterations in DNA methylation.
Main Item
When methylation is altered, gene expression is also altered, and when gene expression is altered, the expression of traits that are controlled by those genes is also changed. In other words, altered methylation can produce changes in emotional reactions, physiological functions and behaviors.
A report to be published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders , entitled "DNA methylation in individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and in matched normal-eater controls: A genome-wide study," is showing chronicity of illness in women with AN to be associated with more pronounced alteration of methylation levels in genes implicated in anxiety, social behavior, various brain and nervous system functions, immunity, and the functioning of peripheral organs.
"These findings help clarify the point that eating disorders are not about superficial body image concerns or the result of bad parenting. They represent real biological effects of environmental impacts in affected people, which then get locked in by too much dieting," says Dr. Steiger, Chief of the Eating Disorders Program at the Douglas Institute and a professor of Psychiatry at McGill University.
"We already know that eating disorders, once established, have a tendency to become more and more entrenched over time. These findings point to physical mechanisms acting upon physiological and nervous system functions throughout the body that may underlie many of the effects of chronicity. All in all, they point to the importance of enabling people to get effective treatments as early in the disorder process as possible," adds Dr. Steiger.
Exploring Crucial Questions
The results of this work imply that epigenetic mechanisms may underlie some of the consequences of anorexia nervosa that affect nervous system functioning, psychological status and physical health. If so, an intriguing possibility arises: Does remission of anorexic symptoms coincide with normalization (or resetting) of methylation levels and could such effects provide clues to more effective treatments? Current work at the Eating Disorders Program at the Douglas Institute is oriented toward exploring exactly this question.
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Douglas Mental Health University Institute, and published on 2015/02/07 (Edit Update: 2021/09/08), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Douglas Mental Health University Institute can be contacted at douglas.mcgill.ca. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.
1 - How do Anorexics Control Their Appetite - Study sheds new light on brain mechanisms that may contribute to the disturbed eating patterns of anorexia nervosa.
2 - Anorexia Nervosa: Get Help Before Chronicity Sets In - Research suggests the longer one suffers from anorexia nervosa, the more likely they are to show disorder-relevant alterations in DNA methylation.
3 - Anorexia Fueled by Pride About Weight Loss - Rutgers study reveals positive emotions may play a role in fueling eating disorders like anorexia nervosa.
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Cite This Page (APA): Douglas Mental Health University Institute. (2015, February 7 - Last revised: 2021, September 8). Anorexia Nervosa: Get Help Before Chronicity Sets In. Disabled World. Retrieved December 12, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/eating-disorders/anorexia-nervosa/an.php
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