Eating Disorder Anorexia susceptibility already predetermined in the womb?

Certain molecule makes one prone to anorexia

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in eating disorders in Germany. Especially the anorexia is according to health experts, especially in women a very serious problem. Researchers have now found that susceptibility to this eating disorder may be already present during pregnancy.

More and more people with eating disorders

Health experts have seen a dramatic increase in eating disorders in recent years. Especially more and more girls are affected. Anorexia (anorexia nervosa) is the most prevalent eating disorder in Germany. In the last year, a research group has reported that it may also be innate. Scientists have now identified a molecule that could cause offspring whose mothers were stressed during pregnancy to suffer from anorexia.

Eating disorders have increased dramatically in recent years. In particular, anorexia is a major health problem. Researchers have now discovered that susceptibility to this eating disorder may be present during pregnancy. (Image: tunedin / fotolia.com)

Stress alone does not lead to an eating disorder

Susceptibility to eating disorders has been associated with stress in early childhood.

But stress alone does not necessarily lead to an eating disorder, it is rather a combination of predisposition and a variety of factors from the early life that leads to the disease, reports the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry (MPI) in a statement.

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from the MPI provide crucial biological insights into this disease.

Women are significantly more affected than men

Anorexia is characterized by self-imposed starvation. The eating disorder often occurs for the first time in teens or young adulthood, and about ten times as often in women as in men.

According to the experts, it shows the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Nevertheless, one still knows little about it.

Their treatment therefore rarely leads to complete recovery.

Choice between exercise and eating

Mariana Schroeder, author of the study and project group leader in the team of Alon Chen, the managing director of the MPI, assumed that the susceptibility to anorexia develops in the womb.

The scientist tested adolescent mice with a model that replicates activity-based anorexia, allowing animals to choose between exercise and feeding.

As a result, female animals showed a high susceptibility to activity-based anorexia, preferring the movement to feeding.

"Interestingly, the female mice split into two groups when exposed to the activity model. About 40 percent became anorexic, the other 60 percent do not. The males were largely resistant, "adds Schroeder.

And: "Surprisingly, prenatal stress kept this vulnerability under control."

Molecular mechanism identified

In the next step, the researchers wanted to identify the molecular mechanism underlying this programming in pregnancy.

To do so, they examined the micro RNA levels in the placenta. - Micro-RNAs are molecules that are important for gene regulation. - A micro-RNA stood out, the so-called miR-340.

This was highly variable in females, while it was barely detectable in the placenta of male offspring.

The scientists artificially manipulated the expression of this micro-RNA to increase its contribution to the placenta.

As a result, susceptibility to anorexia increased in both male and female mice. MiR-340 indirectly affected the nutrient transfer from the mother to the fetus, altering the fetal brain.

"This study provides significant insights into the early onset of this poorly understood eating disorder," Chen said. (Ad)