1. Molecular-genetic correlates of self-harming behaviors in eating-disordered women: Findings from a combined Canadian–German sample
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Steiger, Howard, Fichter, Manfred, Bruce, Kenneth R., Joober, Ridha, Badawi, Ghislaine, Richardson, Jodie, Groleau, Patricia, Ramos, Cinthia, Israel, Mimi, Bondy, Brigitta, Quadflieg, Norbert, and Bachetzky, Nadine
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EATING disorders in women , *MOLECULAR genetics , *MONOAMINE oxidase , *BODY mass index , *POLYMERASE chain reaction , *SELF-mutilation , *GENETIC polymorphisms - Abstract
Abstract: Across populations, findings suggest that rates of self-mutilation, suicidal acts, and other self-harming behaviors (SHBs) may be influenced by polymorphisms that code for activity of the serotonin transporter (e.g., 5HTTLPR) and the enzyme, monoamine oxidase A (e.g., MAOAuVNTR). SHBs being common in patients with Eating Disorders (EDs), we evaluated (in a large sample of eating-disordered women) relationships between triallelic 5HTTLPR and MAOAuVNTR variants, on the one hand, and SHBs, on the other. We had 399 eating-disordered women report on eating symptoms and lifetime history of SHBs, and provide blood samples for genotyping. Individuals carrying high-function MAOAuVNTR alleles reported a history of SHBs about twice as often as did carriers of low-function alleles. We obtained no comparable main effect of 5HTTLPR, or MAOAuVNTR×5HTTLPR interaction effect. Genetic variations did not predict severity of eating symptoms. As in other populations, our findings link the MAOAuVNTR high-function alleles with increased risk of self-directed harm in bulimic females. We discuss theoretical and clinical ramifications of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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