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Early risers may be at a higher risk of developing anorexia.

A groundbreaking study published in JAMA Network Open sheds light on the relationship between anorexia nervosa and sleep patterns, uncovering a noteworthy link between the eating disorder and morning chronotype.

Led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in collaboration with University College London and the University of the Republic in Uruguay, the research offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between circadian rhythms and mental health.

Using Mendelian Randomization, a statistical method, researchers examined the genetic underpinnings of anorexia nervosa, circadian clock genes and sleep traits, including insomnia.

Their analysis revealed a compelling two-way association between genes associated with anorexia nervosa and morning chronotype, suggesting a propensity for early rising among individuals with the eating disorder.

Senior author Hassan S Dashti, Ph.D., R.D., highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing that anorexia nervosa appears to manifest as a morning disorder, contrasting with the evening-based nature of many other psychiatric diseases.

"Our findings implicate anorexia nervosa as a morning disorder in contrast to most other evening-based psychiatric diseases and support the association between anorexia nervosa and insomnia as seen in earlier studies," Dashti explained in a press release from Massachusetts General Hospital.

Moreover, the study identified a correlation between anorexia nervosa and an increased risk of insomnia, further illuminating the intricate relationship between sleep disturbances and the eating disorder.

Anorexia nervosa, characterized by restrictive eating behaviors and distorted body image, poses significant challenges in terms of treatment and prevention.

Current therapies have limited efficacy, with relapse rates reaching up to 52%.

Given the disorder's substantial mortality rate within the realm of psychiatric illnesses, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to address the underlying mechanisms and improve clinical outcomes.

Lead author Hannah Wilcox underscores the potential implications of the study, suggesting that circadian-based therapies could represent a promising avenue for advancing anorexia nervosa treatment and prevention strategies.

"The clinical implications of our new findings are currently unclear; however, our results could direct future investigations into circadian-based therapies for anorexia nervosa prevention and treatment," Wilcox said, Neuroscience News reported.

Overall, the findings offer hope for the development of targeted interventions to support individuals affected by anorexia nervosa.