Understanding the genetic predisposition to anorexia nervosa

The aim of this article is to review the current evidence for a genetic component of susceptibility to anorexia nervosa. We discuss the historical data that gave rise to the theory of a genetic component underlying susceptibility to anorexia nervosa and discuss the relative importance of the assumptions made. We illustrate through reference to more recent studies the type of approach that will be required to determine the genes involved in this underlying genetic susceptibility and summarise the story so far. There is now supporting data consistent with the theory that a genetic component is involved in the susceptibility to anorexia nervosa. However, it is clear that further studies involving larger numbers of subjects are required in order to clarify these recent findings. The current case-control association studies may go some way towards describing the genetic component of anorexia nervosa. However, it is important to accept that replication in independent study cohorts will be required before the rest of the scientific world will accept the current evidence. A world-wide study is currently under way. It allows patient cohorts from different countries to be compared. We hope that it will enable us to understand more clearly the genetics of this complex disorder. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Earing Disorders Association.