A genetic basis for anorexia has been discovered by scientists, who claim their research could dispute the theory that the condition is caused solely by social and psychological pressures.
The study found the eating disorder may be caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the processing of cholesterol, disrupting mood and diet.
The finding, published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, could lead to the development of drugs to treat the condition that mainly affects young girls.
Sufferers starve themselves because they believe they are fat, and more than one in ten cases are fatal making it the deadliest of psychiatric illnesses. Just 30% make a full recovery.
Although many experts believe the condition is caused by social and psychological pressures, evidence is growing there may also be a genetic link.
Researchers from The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, analysed the genetic information of more than 3,000 people, a third of whom were anorexia patients. A handful of more than 150 genes showed statistical signs of a link, including the gene EPHX2, which controls an enzyme that regulates the burning of cholesterol.
Anorexia could have genetic link
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