IP: Dr. Guillermo Gervasini Rodríguez

Resumen del proyecto: In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out to determine which genes of the Central Nervous System (CNS) are involved in obesity. These studies have been able to point out a series of relevant genes in this aspect: FTO, MC4R, BDNF, NEGR1, TFAP2B, etc. However, it is very shocking how practically none of these loci have been studied in the field of Eating Disorders (ED), whose incidence continues to increase among young women and adolescents. It does not seem unreasonable to think that if alterations in these genes exist that can lead to a change in behavior (e.g. anxiety, hyperphagia, etc.) resulting in obesity; these same alterations could lead to an ED (anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder). Especially if particular additional psychopathological features or certain sociocultural environments coexist. Our group has carried out initial studies in some of the aforementioned genes that confirm that there are variants associated with personality traits in patients with ED. The objective of this project is to determine in 400 ED patients and 400 controls the presence of 159 tag-SNPs (mutations that represent the variability of a gene) in 15 CNS genes previously related to obesity. We will analyze its association with the risk of eating disorders as well as with psychopathological parameters. The determination of genetic profiles with direct influence on the onset or evolution of the TCA would allow the early identification of patients at risk, thus helping to adopt the appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures.

Entidad financiadora: Fundación Alicia Koplowitz