Genetics

Obesity (2008) 16, 348–355; doi:10.1038/oby.2007.65

Genes Implicated in Serotonergic and Dopaminergic Functioning Predict BMI Categories

Bernard F. Fuemmeler1, Tanya D. Agurs-Collins2, F. Joseph Mcclernon3, Scott H. Kollins3, Melanie E. Kail4, Andrew W. Bergen5,6 and Allison E. Ashley-Koch4

  1. 1Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
  2. 2Health Promotion Research Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  3. 3Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
  4. 4Department of Medicine, Center for Human Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
  5. 5Genetic Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
  6. 6Center for Health Science, SRI International, Menlo Park, California, USA

Correspondence: Bernard F. Fuemmeler, (bernard.fuemmeler@duke.edu)

Received 10 April 2007; Accepted 28 June 2007.

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Abstract

Objective:

 

This study addressed the hypothesis that variation in genes associated with dopamine function (SLC6A3, DRD2, DRD4), serotonin function (SLC6A4, and regulation of monoamine levels (MAOA) may be predictive of BMI categories (obese and overweight + obese) in young adulthood and of changes in BMI as adolescents transition into young adulthood. Interactions with gender and race/ethnicity were also examined.

Methods and Procedures:

 

Participants were a subsample of individuals from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a nationally representative sample of adolescents followed from 1995 to 2002. The sample analyzed included a subset of 1,584 unrelated individuals with genotype data. Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate the associations between genotypes and obesity (BMI > 29.9) or overweight + obese combined (BMI greater than or equal to 25) with normal weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9) as a referent. Linear regression models were used to examine change in BMI from adolescence to young adulthood.

Results:

 

Significant associations were found between SLC6A4 5HTTLPR and categories of BMI, and between MAOA promoter variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) among men and categories of BMI. Stratified analyses revealed that the association between these two genes and excess BMI was significant for men overall and for white and Hispanic men specifically. Linear regression models indicated a significant effect of SLC6A4 5HTTLPR on change in BMI from adolescence to young adulthood.

Discussion:

 

Our findings lend further support to the involvement of genes implicated in dopamine and serotonin regulation on energy balance.

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