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August 22, 2026Nature Mental HealthOpen Access

Genomic meta-analyses of binge-eating behavior and anorexia nervosa yield insights into the unique and shared biology of eating disorder phenotypes

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Authors

JTJet D. TermorshuizenHDHelena L. DaviesSLSang Hyuck Lee

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Overview

Genomic meta-analysis uncovers shared psychiatric and divergent metabolic risk loci between binge-eating and anorexia nervosa, highlighting complex phenotypic overlap.

Key Points

  • To elucidate the shared and unique genomic architecture underlying binge-eating behavior and anorexia nervosa phenotypes.
  • Conducted genome-wide meta-analyses of case–control cohorts for binge-eating behavior (39,279 cases; 1,227,436 controls) and anorexia nervosa (24,223 cases; 1,243,971 controls) across European ancestries.
  • Performed polygenic risk score analyses in two East Asian ancestry cohorts and examined genetic correlations with psychiatric and anthropometric traits.
  • Identified six risk loci associated with binge-eating behavior linked to higher body mass index and impulse-control behaviors, alongside eight loci associated with anorexia nervosa (validating six).
  • Demonstrated that binge-eating and anorexia nervosa display similar positive genetic correlations with psychiatric disorders, but opposing genetic correlations with anthropometric traits.
  • Confirmed that the majority of genetic variation driving both binge-eating and anorexia nervosa is not shared with body mass index.

Cite This Study

Termorshuizen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895ec3ca7ade938187cf34https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-026-00698-2
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Genome-wide association study identifies eight risk loci and implicates metabo-psychiatric origins for anorexia nervosa2019 · 1,216 citations
  2. 2Polycomb-Focused Transcriptome-Wide Association Study (TWAS) Reveals a Neuronal Identity, Circuit-Maintenance, and Cellular-Logistics Architecture Linking Anorexia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Behaviour2026
  3. 3Genetic Predisposition and Severity of Eating Disorders- A Review2025 · 3 citations
  4. 4Genome-wide association meta-analysis of eating behavior traits revealed one susceptibility locus for emotional eating2026
  5. 5Eating disorder and bipolar mental illness through genome wide association studies2024