Anorexia and bulimia could be genetic in origin

New research points to the influence of genetic predisposition in anorexia.

Study links genetic causes that could lead to eating disorders

A group of U.S. researchers has detected specific genes that could increase the risk of suffering from some eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

"There are two genetic mutations that appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing these types of disorders," say members of the research team from the University of Iowa and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

The study shows that the genes interact in the same signaling pathway in the brain and that the two mutations end up triggering the same Biological effect..

To detect this phenomenon, scholars have analyzed large families with at least one member with an eating disorder.

Eating disorders and their cultural factors

The results point out that this research opens up a field of analysis to try to understand more deeply the eating disorders associated with eating, and although in many cases the influence of culture and the beauty ideals of advertising play a role in determining The results suggest that this research opens a new field of analysis for a deeper understanding of eating disorders, and although in many cases the influence of culture and the ideals of beauty of advertising play a determining role, the field of research on the influence of certain genes in the development of these types of pathologies can clear up new unknowns and open up new avenues towards a better diagnosis and understanding of the diseases.

In addition, the study suggests that the mutations responsible for reducing the activity of the estrogen receptor protein alphawhose function is to mobilize the expression of other genes, amplify the risk of suffering these alterations.