Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Intermittent Binge-Intake Model in Mice
Published on: January 10, 2025
Food restriction leads to binge eating dependent upon the effect of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met
Kirsti Akkermann1, Kelli Hiio, Inga Villa
1Department of Psychology, Estonian Centre of Behavioural and Health Sciences, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia.
Abstract:
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates food intake and energy metabolism. It has also been suggested that mutations in the human BDNF gene and its receptor TrkB account for disturbed eating and obesity. The Met-allele of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has been associated with eating disorders, but the underlying mechanism of its contribution is not known. We report herewith that the effect of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on binge eating in adolescent girls is dependent on severe food restriction. The scores on EDI-2 Bulimia subscale were significantly higher in BDNF Met-allele carriers who made attempts to regulate their body weight by reducing their meal frequency or by starving. This finding may help to explain why some people develop binge eating in response to dieting and others do not.
Related Concept Videos
Binge Eating Disorders
Regulation of Food Intake
Bulimia Nervosa
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...

