Eating Disorders and Parkinson's Disease—1: Comorbidities, Neurobiology, and Family History

ABSTRACT Objective Eating disorders (ED), particularly anorexia nervosa (AN), share neurobiological characteristics with Parkinson's Disease (PD) (e.g., premorbid anxiety, dopaminergic dysfunction, harm avoidance, weight loss), suggesting common vulnerability. The present study built upon these observations, an AN patient's reported family history of Parkinson's Disease (RFHoPD), and AN:PD genetic correlation estimates, by ascertaining RFHoPD in families of individuals with PD. Method We ascertained RFHoPD among ED patients and community participants, and estimated relative risks (RRs) for AN, Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Results In the total sample ( N = 1135), we observed increased RFHoPD among patients and community participants meeting criteria for ED diagnoses ( n = 727) versus community participants without an ED diagnosis ( n = 408). For AN, RFHoPD prevalence was 6.6%, versus 3.4% ( χ 2 = 4.638, p = 0.031, RR = 1.935, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.012–3.768). For BN, RFHoPD prevalence was 7.4%, versus 3.4% ( χ 2 = 4.941, p = 0.026, RR = 2.169, 95% CI = 1.023–4.620). For BED, RFHoPD prevalence was 13.3%, versus 3.4% ( χ 2 = 6.953, p = 0.008, RR = 3.886, 95% CI = 1.108–11.524). Conclusions ED are associated with elevated RFHoPD. Analyses leveraging disorder‐specific research may improve understanding of shared risk factors.