Unlike anorexia nervosa, in which patients lose much of their body weight, people with bulimia usually maintain normal weight. Both conditions commonly begin in adolescence and affect more women than men. These relative pairs will provide blood samples for genetic analysis and will be interviewed about their disorder. Because these procedures can be performed where a patient lives, no traveling is required. According to Dr. Kaye, comparing the genes from this large group of relatives may identify the gene or genes underlying the disorder.
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For more information about psychiatry or to learn about current research studies, visit the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Web site.