There is a major unmet need for an improved understanding of the biological background of severe mental health diseases for developing new, improved therapies. Understanding genetic variants contributing to the susceptibility and progression of these diseases is an important step toward this goal.
The goal of this study is to generate genetic data on patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and related eating disorders from around the world for research. Anorexia nervosa is a condition where individuals have a low body weight and a strong fear of gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa is when an individual consumes a large amount of food in one sitting with a feeling of loss of control over their eating. The large food consumption is followed by a purging activity like vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise with the goal to counteract their previous food consumption.
This study aims to collect DNA samples from 4,000 participants from the NIHR bioresources with a previous diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or related eating disorder. No identifiable information will be provided with the samples to the study team. Once DNA is received, it will go through exome sequencing, which focuses on full DNA sequencing of the protein-coding region of the genome. Understanding the protein coding part of the genome provides insights into genetic changes that have impact on disease risk. The characteristics of these genetic changes can lead to better understanding of the biology of these conditions.
