A family-based association study of the HTR1B gene in eating disorders

Braz J Psychiatry. 2016 Jul-Sep;38(3):239-42. doi: 10.1590/1516-4446-2016-1936.

Abstract

Objective: To explore the association of three polymorphisms of the serotonin receptor 1Dβ gene (HTR1B) in the etiology of eating disorders and their relationship with clinical characteristics.

Methods: We analyzed the G861C, A-161T, and A1180G polymorphisms of the HTR1B gene through a family-based association test (FBAT) in 245 nuclear families. The sample was stratified into anorexia nervosa (AN) spectrum and bulimia nervosa (BN) spectrum. In addition, we performed a quantitative FBAT analysis of anxiety severity, depression severity, and Yale-Brown-Cornell Eating Disorders Scale (YBC-EDS) in the AN and BN-spectrum groups.

Results: FBAT analysis of the A-161T polymorphism found preferential transmission of allele A-161 in the overall sample. This association was stronger when the sample was stratified by spectrums, showing transmission disequilibrium between the A-161 allele and BN spectrum (z = 2.871, p = 0.004). Quantitative trait analysis showed an association between severity of anxiety symptoms and the C861 allele in AN-spectrum participants (z = 2.871, p = 0.004). We found no associations on analysis of depression severity or preoccupation and ritual scores in AN or BN-spectrum participants.

Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest a role of the HTR1B gene in susceptibility to development of BN subtypes. Furthermore, this gene might have an impact on the severity of anxiety in AN-spectrum patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
  • Anorexia Nervosa / genetics*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / physiopathology
  • Anxiety / complications
  • Anxiety / physiopathology
  • Bulimia Nervosa / genetics*
  • Bulimia Nervosa / physiopathology
  • Depression / complications
  • Depression / physiopathology
  • Family
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Association Studies / methods*
  • Genotyping Techniques
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / genetics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Test Anxiety Scale
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • HTR1B protein, human
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B