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5-HT2A receptor gene polymorphism and eating disorders
Valdo Ricca1, Benedetta Nacmias, Elena Cellini
1Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni, 85, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Neuroscience Letters
|April 13, 2002
Summary
The -1438 G/A polymorphism in the serotonin 2A receptor gene is not linked to binge eating disorder. However, the A allele is associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Conflicting studies suggest a link between the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene's -1438 G/A polymorphism and eating disorders (ED).
- The role of this specific genetic variation across different ED phenotypes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association of the -1438 G/A polymorphism with binge eating disorder (BED) phenotypes.
- To clarify the polymorphism's role in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping and allele frequency analysis were performed.
- Case-control study comparing patients with BED, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and obese non-BED individuals.
Main Results:
- No significant genetic differences were found between obese BED patients and obese non-BED controls.
- The A allele of the -1438 G/A polymorphism was significantly associated with anorexia nervosa.
- The A allele was also associated with bulimia nervosa.
Conclusions:
- The -1438 G/A polymorphism does not appear to genetically differentiate binge eating disorder from obesity.
- The A allele of the 5-HT(2A) receptor gene polymorphism is associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.