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The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes pp 227–237Cite as

Biomarkers and Endophenotypes in Eating Disorders

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Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the concept of endophenotypes within the eating disorder (ED) population. As is common in most forms of psychiatric illness, people with ED have additional psychological problems, as do their family members. Affective disorders, addictions, and autistic spectrum disorders commonly occur in association with the individual and/or in the families of those with ED. This chapter will explore the literature related to underlying biological markers that potentially underpin all of these disorders. Some of the biomarkers fulfi l the criteria for an endophenotype, although this is an area that is poorly developed so far in the eating disorder fi eld. It is possible that core inherited vulnerability traits such as anxiety, rigidity, weak coherence, poor social cognition, compulsivity and impulsivity are some of the features held in common with other disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eating Disorders Research Unit, Department of Academic, Psychiatry, King's College London, UK

    Carolina Lopez

  2. Eating Disorders Research Unit, Department of Academic Psychiatry Institute of Phychiatry, King's College London 5th Floor Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Hospital, London, SE1 9RT ddi 0207 188 0181

    Marion Roberts

  3. Psychological Medicine Department, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK

    Janet Treasure

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  1. Carolina Lopez
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  2. Marion Roberts
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa

    Michael S. Ritsner M.D., Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion) (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion)

  2. Sha'ar Menashe Mental Health Center, Hadera, Israel

    Michael S. Ritsner M.D., Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion) (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, the Rappaport Faculty of Medicine Technion)

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Lopez, C., Roberts, M., Treasure, J. (2009). Biomarkers and Endophenotypes in Eating Disorders. In: Ritsner, M.S. (eds) The Handbook of Neuropsychiatric Biomarkers, Endophenotypes and Genes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9464-4_16

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