A gene that is active mainly in body fat and muscle, not the brain, may play a role in some cases of anorexia nervosa, according to a small study published Oct. 8. Researchers found rare, possibly damaging changes in a gene called PLIN4 in 17 of 154 patients, about 11%, compared with about 3% of people in a large genetic reference database.
The finding is early and narrow. The patients came from one specialty clinic and were selected because they had strong family histories, repeated unsuccessful treatment, or unusual clinical features. The study shows an association only, not proof that PLIN4 changes cause anorexia, and it has not been repeated in an independent group.
