title: Assessing global and gene specific DNA methylation in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  At present there are no genome-wide methylation data available in anorexia nervosa (AN) and no studies have examined the potential dynamic nature of DNA methylation during treatment, so it is unclear whether epigenetic disruption established over long periods of malnourishment is reversible. The current study examined global levels of DNA methylation and methylation at a labile imprinted locus in women with AN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Buccal swabs were collected from 10 women who were admitted to hospital for treatment of AN and 10 age-matched healthy controls DNA methylation of LINE-1 repetitive elements and the H19 imprinting control region was measured using previously validated assays using the Sequenom Mass Array platform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No evidence for altered global or gene-specific DNA methylation was observed in association with AN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Larger, genome-wide studies of epigenetic modifications, encompassing both DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks, are required to determine the degree to which AN is associated with specific epigenetic changes, potentially modifiable through appropriate treatments that improve nutrition.
authors.affiliation: Cancer and Disease Epigenetics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saffrey
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Novakovic
authors.forename: Tracey D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Wade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000235:genetics*; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DNA methylation; anorexia nervosa; epigenetics