PLIN4 Variants Linked to Higher Anorexia Susceptibility
A study found that individuals with anorexia nervosa were almost four times as likely as a comparison group to carry uncommon PLIN4 variants that may damage the gene. PLIN4 is active mainly in fat and muscle, where it influences how cells store fat, rather than in the brain. The work suggests that changes in fat or energy metabolism could play a role in anorexia for some patients and may point to new treatment avenues.
Anorexia nervosa carries one of the highest death rates among psychiatric illnesses. Although inherited factors have long been suspected, the biological mechanisms behind susceptibility have been unclear. This study examined 154 patients chosen for strong family history, repeated unsuccessful treatment, or atypical clinical features, sequencing the protein-coding portions of their DNA.
About 11% of those patients had rare PLIN4 variants predicted to impair the gene, versus roughly 3% in a healthy reference group. Six had especially disruptive changes; in four families, a close relative with an eating disorder shared the same variant. PLIN4 acts mainly in fat and muscle, affecting cellular fat storage, not primarily in the brain. Researchers say replication in a larger independent group is needed.
If replicated, this finding may shift some attention toward metabolic and fat-storage biology, potentially opening treatment avenues beyond brain-focused approaches. People with anorexia, especially those with family history or treatment-resistant forms, could benefit from future therapies targeting energy storage. Families might gain a biological explanation that reduces stigma. However, because the sample was specialized, broad societal impact remains uncertain until larger studies confirm the result.