Study of Food Aversion in Patients With Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a brain-based disorder that often leads to serious health consequences including death. The EPHX2 gene has been identified as a susceptibility gene for anorexia nervosa. This study utilizes a multi-omics biomarker system approach to investigate how genetic factors interact with dietary factors to influence food aversion, psychopathology, and clinical outcome in patients with anorexia nervosa.

Inclusion criteria

• Ill AN subjects will meet current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) diagnosis of AN, body mass index (BMI) between 11 kg/m² and 17.5 kg/m², or BMI > 17.5 kg/m² with active eating disorder symptoms.
• Recovered AN must meet the following criteria at time of study entry: 1) Current or past DSM V diagnosis of AN; 2) BMI between 18.5 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2; 3) Having maintained a BMI of >18.5 for at least one year.
• Control must be healthy adolescent or woman negative on our screen for AN, other Axis I psychiatric illnesses, and having maintained a BMI of between 18.5-30 kg/m² since the age of 18.

Exclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteria for AN and control subjects include: Organic brain syndrome, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, untreated thyroid disease, renal disease, hepatic disease, and the regular use of fish-oil containing supplements within the last three months of the study. All pregnant and lactating individuals will be excluded.