biological explanation for AN

Question 1

genetic twin studies

Answer 1

mz twins concordance rate 56%
dz twins 5%
shows it is genetic

Question 2

genetic family studies

Answer 2

people w first degree relative = 10 times more likely to develop an

Question 3

genetic adoption studies

Answer 3

twin study studies genes but does not take env into account

study:
both adopted sibling pairs and biological sibling pairs
- found heritability ranged 59%-82% for ed symptoms
- this shows it is genes not env

Question 4

neural : serotonin

Answer 4

high levels seratonin linked to AN behaviours
- obsessiveness , appetite reduction, anxiety

study: showing women recovering from AN
= high levels of serotonin = high levels anxiety
- shows serotonin linked to AN

Question 5

neural : dopamine

Answer 5

healthy pp given drugs that increase dopamine levels => pleasure

pp with AN given drugs to increase dopamine levels => anxiety

eating also leads to increased dopamine levels, therefore AN patients may not be eating to reduce anxiety levels