Breakthrough Research at VUMC to Uncover Genetic Roots of Anorexia Nervosa

In a significant development in the field of mental health research, a consortium led by investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has secured a pioneering grant from the newly minted Sarah Kyle Anorexia Nervosa Research Foundation (SKANRF). This funding marks a crucial step forward in the quest to unravel the genetic underpinnings of anorexia nervosa, a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by severe food restriction.

The research team will delve into the genetic markers present across the genome of patients suffering from anorexia nervosa, aiming to pinpoint areas that are linked to the disorder. "We are truly honored that SKANRF selected our project from a highly competitive pool of proposals," remarked Dr. Jennifer (Piper) Below, a professor in the Division of Genetic Medicine at VUMC. "Our goal is to identify novel biomarkers that may enhance our understanding of anorexia nervosa and eventually lead to innovative prevention and treatment strategies."

Leading the project is Dr. Melissa Munn-Chernoff, a behavioral geneticist and psychiatric epidemiologist from Texas Tech University. She is joined by co-investigators Dr. Kari North—a genetic epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—and Dr. Below.

Anorexia nervosa poses a staggering public health concern, affecting approximately 28.8 million individuals in the United States, or 9% of the population, according to the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders. Alarmingly, it boasts the highest mortality rate among all mental health conditions aside from opioid use disorder, underscoring the urgent need for effective treatment solutions.

Although both genetic and environmental influences contribute to the manifestation of anorexia nervosa, the intricacies of the genetic mechanisms involved remain inadequately understood. The funding from SKANRF will propel this vital research forward by focusing on DNA methylation—a fundamental epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. This modification is crucial as it may help researchers identify how environmental variables can exacerbate genetic susceptibility to the disorder.

Previous investigations have highlighted variations in DNA methylation patterns in individuals with anorexia nervosa; however, such studies have often been limited by small sample sizes and a lack of diversity. To address this, the current study will utilize BioVU, VUMC's extensive DNA biobank linked to electronic health records, to create a comprehensive dataset that captures anorexia nervosa cases from a broad demographic, coupled with matched healthy controls. The team will conduct whole-genome methylation and epigenomic analyses to identify specific sites of DNA methylation correlated with the disorder.

This foundational study lays the groundwork for future research involving larger sample sizes, ultimately aiming to elucidate the clinical significance of altered DNA methylation in anorexia nervosa. "These analyses will deepen our understanding of the biological mechanisms and causal pathways leading to anorexia nervosa," Dr. Below emphasized.

Founded by David Kyle, PhD, and Nancy Andrew-Kyle, SKANRF is dedicated to discovering and supporting groundbreaking medical research aimed at preventing anorexia nervosa before it manifests. This collaborative effort could herald a new era in the approach to understanding and potentially treating one of the most challenging psychiatric disorders known today.

Stay tuned as this innovative research unfolds, potentially changing lives and reshaping the future of anorexia nervosa treatment!