Topic: bulimia nervosa

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ionotropic receptors composed of a combination of α and β subunits. Human genetic association and preclinical studies have shown a key role of α5 containing nAChRs (α5*nAChRs) in the risk to develop nicotine addiction. Tobacco smoking is highly comorbid with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders. Interestingly, genetic variation at CHRNA5 has also been associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in never smokers, but lower BMI in current smokers, and increased appetence for food in rodents. Here we sought to investigate the role o