Science has been looking for a relationship between weight problems and our brains for a long time now. New research suggests that the gene products could people to overeat and gain weight. The latest findings show that overweight people appear to have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain … giving them less ability to feel pleasure in eating and encourage them to eat more to get the same satisfaction.
In a study using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain pleasure centers of a group of 53 female students and 33 girls, looking at the response to food. Subjects were given sips of milk chocolate, and then taste the solution. Participants were tested in the presence of genetic variations called Taq1A1, with fewer dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. Body Mass Index of individuals followed in one year.
At follow-up, researchers found that subjects the brain was less active, chocolate milk, which is a variant of the gene, are also likely to gain weight during the follow-up. The increase was 3.6%. “This is the first image of the study found less activation of dopamine receptors in [some] people,” said lead study author Eric gets scientists from the Institute for Research in Portland, Oregon.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released when you eat … establish a feeling of comfort. In the distant past, our “happy stuff” is a reward for the body to eat a meal, keep living. The amount of dopamine associated with the pleasure experienced, and it seems that some of us are just genetically predisposed to not need the number of dopamine receptors.
Earlier work has shown that obese people tend to have fewer D2 receptors than thin people. This may explain why some people can eat all you want and not get … and others believe that you eat normally and still get.
This latest work is the result of collaboration between clinical psychologists from Oregon Research Institute and University of Texas, and sensory neuro Scientists from the John B. Pierce Laboratory and Yale University School of Medicine. The study was supported by grants (R1MH64560A) from the National Institutes of Health Roadmap for Medical Research and drug counseling.
“What is new is the first time have identified the consequences of this genetic diversity (types) of how the brain works,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, who won the roles of D2 gene (one missing from the Ori respondents) in overeating. Now director of the National Institute on drug abuse, she has worked hard to make the connection between addictive behavior and the brain. It also makes the connection between the lack of dopamine receptors and other violent behavior, examples of people who are doing things like drinking and drug compulsive, even when they know better.
Although you can not change the genetics of your brain right now, there are things you can do to fight back against the weight problem. Eat a balanced diet and eating can be an important first step. You’ll also want to make sure that you are active – take two 58 training sessions per week – to activate the dopamine while reducing the need to overeat.
Tags: d2 receptors, magnetic resonance imaging mri
