[Genetics in eating disorders: extending the boundaries of research].

Objective: To review the recent literature relevant to genetic research in eating disorders and to discuss unique issues which are crucial for the development of a genetic research project in eating disorders in Brazil.

Method: A computer literature review was conducted in the Medline database between 1984 and may 2005 with the search terms "eating disorders", "anorexia nervosa", "bulimia nervosa", "binge eating disorder", "family", "twin" and "molecular genetic" studies.

Results: Current research findings suggest a substantial influence of genetic factors on the liability to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

Can childhood trauma predict response to topiramate in borderline personality disorder?

We report on a woman with borderline personality disorder and a history of childhood trauma that showed significant clinical response with low dosage of topiramate. We propose that topiramate changed some of the main features of this disorder, such as catastrophic reaction to real or imaginary abandonment or rejection, improving adaptive functioning. We hypothesize that topiramate might facilitate memory extinction, therefore decreasing emotional and behavioural reactivity.