Association of Candidate Genes with Phenotypic Traits Relevant to Anorexia Nervosa

This analysis is a follow up to an earlier investigation of 182 genes selected as likely candidate genetic variations conferring susceptibility to anorexia nervosa (AN). As those initial case control results revealed no statistically significant differences in single nucleotide polymorphisms herein we investigate alternative phenotypes associated with AN. In 1762 females using regression analyses we examined the following: (i) lowest illness related attained body mass index; (ii) age at menarche; (iii) drive for thinness; (iv) body dissatisfaction; (v) trait anxiety; (vi) concern over mistakes; and (vii) the anticipatory worry and pessimism versus uninhibited optimism subscale of the harm avoidance scale. After controlling for multiple comparisons no statistically significant results emerged. Although results must be viewed in the context of limitations of statistical power the approach illustrates a means of potentially identifying genetic variants conferring susceptibility to AN because less complex phenotypes associated with AN are more proximal to the genotype and may be influenced by fewer genes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley Sons Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.