Recent research has uncovered an interesting connection between the eating disorder anorexia nervosa and sleep patterns.
Unlike many psychiatric disorders which tend to be linked with staying up late, such as depression and schizophrenia, anorexia nervosa is associated with being an early riser.
This study, published in JAMA Network Open, was conducted by a team from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), University College London, and the University of the Republic in Uruguay.
The research also points to a relationship between anorexia nervosa and a higher risk of insomnia. Past studies have hinted at a possible link between eating disorders and the body’s internal clock, known as the circadian clock.
This clock is crucial as it regulates various biological functions, including sleep, and impacts almost every organ in the body.
The study aimed to delve deeper into how genes related to anorexia nervosa, the circadian clock, and sleep traits like insomnia are connected.
The researchers used a method called Mendelian Randomization, which helps understand how specific genes influence certain traits.
By examining sleep patterns in people with genetic variations that increase their likelihood of having anorexia nervosa, the researchers could investigate the connection between the disorder and sleep.
One key finding was a two-way link between genes related to being an early riser and those associated with anorexia nervosa.
This suggests that people who naturally wake up early might have a higher risk of developing anorexia nervosa, and those with anorexia nervosa may tend to wake up earlier than others.
Additionally, the study found a connection between anorexia nervosa and insomnia.
The team further explored the insomnia link by using the Mass General Brigham Biobank. They developed a “genetic risk score” for anorexia nervosa and found that this score was indeed related to a higher risk of insomnia.
Senior author Hassan S Dashti, Ph.D., RD, notes that these findings highlight anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder, setting it apart from most other psychiatric diseases that are evening-based. The association with insomnia also supports earlier research findings.
Anorexia nervosa is a challenging disorder to treat, with current treatments showing high relapse rates of up to 52%. Furthermore, the exact cause of anorexia nervosa remains unclear.
With this disorder having one of the highest mortality rates among psychiatric diseases, there’s an urgent need for more research into prevention strategies and new treatments.
Lead author Hannah Wilcox says that while the clinical implications of these findings are not yet clear, they could guide future research into circadian-based therapies for preventing and treating anorexia nervosa.
This study opens new avenues in understanding anorexia nervosa and suggests that focusing on sleep patterns and circadian rhythms could be crucial in tackling this complex disorder.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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