Biomedical subjects

K L Klump

Publications and source records attributed to K L Klump.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

The evolving genetic foundations of eating disorders.

Data described earlier are clear in establishing a role for genes in the development of eating abnormalities. Estimates from the most rigorous studies suggest that more than 50% of the variance in eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors can be accounted for by genetic effects. These high estimates indicate a need for studies identifying the specific genes contributing to this large proportion of variance. Twin and family studies suggest that several heritable characteristics that are commonly comorbid with AN and BN may share genetic transmission with these disorders, including anxiety disorders or traits, body weight, and possibly major depression. Moreover, some developmental research suggests that the genes involved in ovarian hormones or the genes that these steroids affect also may be genetically linked to eating abnormalities. Molecular genetic research of these disorders is in its infant stages. However, promising areas for future research have already been identified (e.g., 5-HT2A receptor gene, UCP-2/UCP-3 gene, and estrogen receptor beta gene), and several large-scale linkage and association studies are underway. These studies likely will provide invaluable information regarding the appropriate phenotypes to be included in genetic studies and the genes with the most influence on the development of these disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa↗

PubMed2001

Genetic and environmental influences on anorexia nervosa syndromes in a population-based twin sample.

BACKGROUND: Genetic and environmental influences on broadly-defined anorexia nervosa (AN) syndrome were examined in a population-based twin sample. METHODS: AN syndrome was assessed in 672 female 17 year-old twins using structured interviews and a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-six probands with AN syndrome were identified. Biometrical model-fitting analyses indicated that genetic and non-shared environmental factors accounted for 74% and 26% of the variance in AN syndrome, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support previous research indicating significant genetic and non-shared environmental influences on AN syndromes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Altered serotonin 2A receptor activity in women who have recovered from bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The authors' goal was to confirm that brain serotonin (5-HT) alterations are present in patients who have recovered from bulimia nervosa. Positron emission tomography imaging with [(18)F]altanserin was used to characterize binding of the 5-HT(2A) receptor, which might contribute to altered feeding, mood, or impulse control. METHOD: Nine women who had recovered from bulimia nervosa (they had no episodes of binge eating or purging, were at normal weight, and had regular menstrual cycles for more than 1 year) were compared with 12 female volunteers who had never had bulimia. RESULTS: The healthy volunteers, but not the women who had recovered from bulimia nervosa, had an age-related decline in 5-HT(2A) binding. Women who had recovered from bulimia nervosa had a reduction of medial orbital frontal cortex 5-HT(2A) binding. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of age-related changes in 5-HT activity is further evidence of 5-HT alterations in subjects who have recovered from bulimia nervosa. In addition, vulnerabilities for eating disorders, impulse dyscontrol, and mood disturbances may involve 5-HT and frontal lobe activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

A search for susceptibility loci for anorexia nervosa: methods and sample description.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders have not traditionally been viewed as heritable illnesses; however, recent family and twin studies lend credence to the potential role of genetic transmission. The Price Foundation funded an international, multisite study to identify genetic factors contributing to the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN) by recruiting affective relative pairs. This article is an overview of study methods and the clinical characteristics of the sample. METHODS: All probands met modified DSM-IV criteria for AN; all affected first, second, and third degree relatives met DSM-IV criteria for AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), or eating disorder not otherwise specified (NOS). Probands and affected relatives were assessed diagnostically with the Structured Interview for Anorexia and Bulimia. DNA was collected from probands, affected relatives and a subset of their biological parents. RESULTS: Assessments were obtained from 196 probands and 237 affected relatives, over 98% of whom are of Caucasian ancestry. Overall, there were 229 relative pairs who were informative for linkage analysis. Of the proband-relative pairs, 63% were AN-AN, 20% were AN-BN, and 16% were AN-NOS. For family-based association analyses, DNA has been collected from both biological parents of 159 eating-disordered subjects. Few significant differences in demographic characteristics were found between proband and relative groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study represents the first large-scale molecular genetic investigation of AN. Our successful recruitment of over 500 subjects, consisting of affected probands, affected relatives, and their biological parents, will provide the basis to investigate genetic transmission of eating disorders via a genome scan and assessment of candidate genes.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Physical similarity and twin resemblance for eating attitudes and behaviors: a test of the equal environments assumption.

The Equal Environments Assumption (EEA) in twin studies of eating pathology was investigated by examining the hypothesis that twin resemblance for eating attitudes and behaviors is affected by their degree of physical similarity. Eating attitudes and behaviors were assessed in 338 female adolescent twin pairs with a revised version of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). General physical similarity as well as body size/shape similarity were assessed using ratings of color photographs, ratings of body shape, and body mass index. All physical similarity assessments were conducted blind to twin zygosity. Significant associations between physical similarity and twin similarity for eating attitudes and behaviors were not found. Mean EDI within-twin pair absolute difference scores did not differ significantly among more versus less physically-similar groups. Additionally, correlation and regression analyses failed to find a significant association between EDI absolute difference scores and physical similarity indices. The current findings provide support for the EEA in twin studies of eating attitudes and behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Temperament and character in women with anorexia nervosa.

The present study examined temperament differences among anorexia nervosa (AN) subtypes and community controls, as well as the effect of body weight on personality traits in women with AN. Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) scores were compared between 146 women with restrictor-type AN (RAN), 117 women with purging-type AN (PAN), 60 women with binge/purge-type AN (BAN), and 827 community control women (CW) obtained from an archival normative database. Women with AN scored significantly higher on harm avoidance and significantly lower on cooperativeness than CW. Subtype analyses revealed that women with RAN and PAN reported the lowest novelty seeking, RAN women the highest persistence and self-directedness, and PAN women the highest harm avoidance. Body mass index had a nominal effect on subgroup differences, suggesting that personality disturbances are independent of body weight. Findings suggest that certain facets of temperament differ markedly between women with AN, regardless of diagnostic subtype, and controls. More subtle temperament and character differences that were independent of body weight emerged that distinguish among subtypes of AN.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are disorders characterized by abnormal patterns of weight regulation and eating behavior and by disturbances in attitudes and perceptions toward weight and body shape. Etiologic research has indicated substantial genetic influence on these disorders, suggesting significant biological contributions to their development. Obsessional, perfectionistic, and anxious personality styles may be premorbid traits that contribute to this pathogenesis. Studies of neuroendocrine, neuropeptide, and neurotransmitter functioning in patients with AN and BN indicate that disturbances of these systems may contribute to the maintenance as well as the etiology of these sometimes fatal disorders. The efficacy of psychological treatments and pharmacotherapy has been more clearly established for BN than for AN.

Anorexia↗

PubMed2000

Age differences in genetic and environmental influences on eating attitudes and behaviors in preadolescent and adolescent female twins.

A sample of 680 11- and 602 17-year-old female twins was used to examine (a) age differences in genetic and environmental influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors and (b) associations between body mass index (BMI) and eating attitudes and behaviors. Univariate, biometrical model-fitting analyses indicated that 11-year-old twins exhibited less genetic and greater shared environmental influence on eating attitudes and behaviors than 17-year-old twins. Bivariate model-fitting analyses indicated that the relationship between BMI and eating attitudes was mediated primarily by common shared environmental influences in 11-year-old twins and common genetic influences in 17-year-old twins. Nonetheless, the majority of genetic influences on eating attitudes and behaviors in older twins were due to genetic effects that are independent of those operating in BMI.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Disordered eating in adolescent males from a school-based sample.

OBJECTIVE: The authors sought to describe a sample of adolescent males who reported disordered eating, to explore whether males with disordered eating are overweight or obese, and to determine if patterns displayed by females would be replicated with a male sample. METHOD: Three school-based adolescent samples were selected. (1) 27 males reporting disordered eating (2) 27 physically matched controls, and (3) 27 randomly selected controls. RESULTS: Findings indicated that boys reporting disordered eating expressed greater body dissatisfaction, depression, restraint, and poorer interoceptive awareness compared to matched and randomly selected controls. Negative Emotionality and poor Interoceptive Awareness scores showed the strongest associations with eating pathology. Body mass index and Negative Emotionality scores showed the strongest relationships to restrained eating. DISCUSSION: Previous results for female adolescents were replicated, suggesting that findings for females can be generalized to males. Disordered eating appears to exist in the absence of significant weight problems in adolescent males.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

The future of risk factor research in understanding the etiology of eating disorders.

This article explores whether particular risk factors are best seen as precursors or as symptoms. Psychological, cultural, family, developmental, and biological risk domains that may be important in the etiology of eating disorders are briefly reviewed. We describe a 4-year prospective study assessing a wide range of risk factors for development of eating disorders in a large school-based sample of adolescents. For subjects who were relatively asymptomatic, a personality or temperamental characteristic of negative affect/esteem measured at study entrance was the only significant predictor of later risk score for both girls and boys. The significant comorbidity demonstrated in a separate group that had high risk for eating disorders suggests that negative affectivity may be a vulnerability factor for overall psychopathology rather than a predisposition specifically for eating disorders. Following subjects through the young-adult years and later may further clarify the range of influences affecting disordered eating. Primary prevention and early intervention programs in the schools are also recommended.

Feeding and Eating Disorders↗