Shared genetic risk between eating disorder‐ and substance‐use‐related phenotypes: Evidence from genome‐wide association studies

Abstract

Eating disorders and substance use disorders frequently co-occur. Twin studies reveal shared genetic variance between liabilities to eating disorders and substance use, with the strongest associations between symptoms of bulimia nervosa and problem alcohol use (genetic correlation [r g ], twin-based = 0.23-0.53). We estimated the genetic correlation between eating disorder and substance use and disorder phenotypes using data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Four eating disorder phenotypes (anorexia nervosa [AN], AN with binge eating, AN without binge eating,

Young Patients with Anorexia Nervosa: The Contribution of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Events

“…For instance, negative affectivity, often a consequence of a history of abuse, was described to be a risk factor for the development of body concern [ 12 ]; furthermore, the lack of family cohesion and support during adolescence tends to increase the risk for psychiatric symptoms in general [ 3 , 9 ]. As regards alcohol and substance use, the present study suggests a limited role of psychoactive substances in the development of AN; this result is not in line with previous literature describing EDs and substance use disorders as frequently co-occurring [ 27 ], and a role of substance use disorder as a risk factor for AN [ 25 ]. However, it is of note that the correlation between alcohol/substance use and EDs is higher among individuals with bulimic symptoms [ 44 ], while the present study focused on AN, mostly RAN.…”

“…Concerning alcohol and substance abuse, Substance Use Disorder has been described as a risk factor for the development of anorexia nervosa (AN) [ 25 ]. Moreover, the literature reported shared genetic mechanisms between vulnerability to EDs and to substance use disorder, with a higher correlation between bulimic symptoms and alcohol use and substance dependence [ 26 , 27 ]. However, studies on the role of alcohol and substance abuse in EDs are few, and generally, there is a lack of literature investigating extensive risk factors in young (i.e., <25 years old) patients with EDs recruited during the first years of illness.…”

Associations between eating disorders and illicit drug use among college students

“…Similarly, emotion regulation difficulties are common among people who experience EDs and use substances, where these behaviors are utilized as coping mechanisms (Aldao, Nolen‐Hoeksema, & Schweizer, 2010). There are also genetic risk factors that are associated with both EDs and substance use (Munn‐Chernoff et al, 2020). Thus, there are likely multiple factors that connect EDs and illicit drug use.…”

Predicting Eating Disorder and Anxiety Symptoms Using Anorexia Nervosa and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Polygenic Scores

“…62 Although SNP-based heritability data for non-AN eating disorder phenotypes are limited and based on small sample sizes, a recent GWAS by our group did not find a significant genetic correlation between AN and bulimia factor score, 63 despite both phenotypes showing significant SNP-based heritability estimates. 64 While these studies were conducted in female participants only and cannot be necessarily generalized to men, currently little evidence exists at a genetic level on whether these intermediate phenotypes truly lie on a continuum with AN diagnosis.…”