Epigenetic dysregulation of dopaminergic genes in eating disorders
Abstract
Objective: The pathophysiology of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) has been linked to an impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission, still the origin of this disturbance remains unknown. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate whether the expression of dopaminergic genes is altered in the blood of patients suffering from eating disorders and if these alterations can be explained by changes in the promoter specific DNA methylation of the genes. Method: We used quantitative real‐time PCR to measure both the expression and the promoter specific DNA methylation of the dopamine transporter (DAT), and the D2 (DRD2) and D4 receptor (DRD4) gene in the blood of 46 patients (22 AN, 24 BN) and 30 healthy controls. Results: Patients showed an elevated expression of DAT mRNA when compared with the controls and a downregulation of the DRD 2 expression. The upregulation of the DAT gene was accompanied by a hypermethylation of the gene's promoter in the AN and BN group while a significant hypermethylation of the DRD 2 promoter was only present in the AN group. No differences in expression or methylation were found for the other dopamine receptors investigated. Discussion: Our study shows a disturbed expression of dopaminergic genes that is accompanied by a dysregulation of the epigenetic DNA methylation. Further studies are necessary to provide more insight into the epigenetic dysregulation of the dopaminergic neurotransmission in the pathophysiology of eating disorders. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2010;)
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In eating disorders, findings of DNAm changes affecting dopaminergic genes DAT and DRD2 are mixed.
“In ED, findings of DNAm changes affecting dopaminergic genes DAT and DRD2 are mixed (Frieling et al., 2010; Pjetri et al., 2013).”
From Can epigenetics shine a light on the biological pathways underlying major mental disorders? (2022) · cites this paper as Frieling et al., 2010
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Genetics and epigenetics of eating disorders
Bulik, C., Yilmaz, Z., & HArdaway, A. (2015) · Advances in Genomics and Genetics · doi:10.2147/agg.s55776 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
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Epigenetics in eating disorders: a systematic review
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Can epigenetics shine a light on the biological pathways underlying major mental disorders?
Alameda, L., Trotta, G., Quigley, H., Rodriguez, V., Gadelrab, R., Dwir, D., Dempster, E., Wong, C. C. Y., & Forti, M. D. (2022) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291721005559 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
From Disordered Eating to Addiction: The “Food Drug” in Bulimia Nervosa
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- Authors
- Frieling, H., Römer, K. D., Scholz, S., Mittelbach, F., Wilhelm, J., De Zwaan, M., Jacoby, G. E., Kornhuber, J., Hillemacher, T., & Bleich, S.
- Affiliations
- Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (DE)
- Universitätsklinikum Erlangen (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Frieling, Helge
- Venue
- International Journal of Eating Disorders
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2009-09-02
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 577-583
- ISSN
- 0276-3478 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-108X
- OpenAlex
- W2064344742
- Cited by
- 162
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 12.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Eating Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Keywords
- eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, dopamine signaling, DNA methylation, epigenetic dysregulation, dopamine transporter, DRD2, DRD4, gene expression, promoter hypermethylation, blood gene expression
- MeSH terms
- Feeding and Eating Disorders, Dopamine, Female, Humans, Promoter Regions, Genetic, RNA, Messenger, Down-Regulation, Up-Regulation, Case-Control Studies, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Receptors, Dopamine D2, DNA Methylation, Epigenesis, Genetic, Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
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