In a revelation that could upend longstanding notions about eating disorders, Harvard researchers have unearthed a genetic tie between anorexia nervosa and being a morning person. Unlike most psychiatric conditions that lean towards evening activities, this study, spotlighting the distinct timing of anorexia, has been published in JAMA Network Open and originates from Massachusetts General Hospital, in tandem with the University College London and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.
While researching links between the circadian clock, or the body's internal timing system, and eating disorders, researchers applied a statistical tactic known as Mendelian randomization. This approach hinges on understanding how genetic variations connected to one characteristic affect others. Looking at the relationship of these genes to sleep traits, including insomnia, they stumbled upon a two-fold connection: genes related to anorexia are interlinked with those predisposing people to rise early, suggesting a possible increased risk for the disorder among early birds.
The research has also reconfirmed the tie between anorexia and difficulty sleeping. A "genetic risk score" devised using data from the Mass General Brigham Biobank has indicated a greater likelihood of insomnia for individuals at genetic risk for anorexia. "Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder, in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases, and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies," Hassan S Dashti told the Harvard Gazette, an assistant investigator and assistant professor affiliated with Harvard.
As medical professionals grapple with anorexia nervosa treatments that see relapse rates tipping 52% and a dire need for new strategies, understanding the genesis and progression of the disorder remains paramount. "The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment," having a morning chronotype could be instrumental in the development of the illness, according to the lead author Hannah Wilcox, pointing towards a potential paradigm shift in approaching this life-threatening condition.
The multidisciplinary team also includes research powerhouses Valentina Paz, Richa Saxena, John W. Winkelman, and Victoria Garfield, with financial backing underscored by the National Institutes of Health. As the findings illuminate new intervention pathways, the medical community watches on with keen interest, hopeful that these insights into the genetic architecture of anorexia may soon translate into more effective treatments.
