Association of catecholamine-O-methyltransferase and 5-HTTLPR genotype with eating disorder-related behavior and attitudes in females with eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
There is growing evidence, that genetic variants contribute to the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Genetic studies have revealed candidate genes, but no satisfactory associations with the disorders have been found so far. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, whether behavioral and attitudinal traits of the disorders can serve as phenotypes with a possible association with two common functional polymorphisms of the monoaminergic pathways.


METHODS
Forty-five female in-patients of a specialized hospital for eating disorders were included into the study. Eating disorder symptomatology was assessed using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. The functional catecholamine-O-methyltransferase (COMT) 158 Val-->Met polymorphism and the deletion/insertion polymorphism of the serotonin transporter promoter 5-HTTLPR were determined.


RESULTS
Carriers of at least one Met-allele of the COMT gene had significantly higher total scores of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, as well as significantly higher scores on the subscales bulimia, ineffectiveness, interoceptive awareness, maturity fears and impulse regulation. Carriers of the deletion of the 5-HTTLPR had significantly higher scores on the subscales drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
We found associations between the COMT and the 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and specific clinical, behavioral and attitudinal traits of eating disorders. These polymorphisms may predispose their carriers to exhibit certain symptoms of eating disorders or confer a general risk for more severe forms of these disorders.
Frieling
Helge
H
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. helge.frieling@psych.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Römer
Konstanze D
KD
Wilhelm
Julia
J
Hillemacher
Thomas
T
Kornhuber
Johannes
J
de Zwaan
Martina
M
Jacoby
Georg E
GE
Bleich
Stefan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001483:Base Sequence; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase