Dopamine Genes (DRD2/ANKK1-TaqA1 and DRD4-7R) and Executive Function: Their Interaction with Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial disease caused by the interaction between genotype and environment, and it is considered to be a type of addictive alteration. The A1 allele of the DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA gene has been associated with addictive disorders, with obesity and with the performance in executive functions. The 7 repeat allele of the DRD4 gene has likewise been associated with the performance in executive functions, as well as with addictive behaviors and impulsivity. Participants were included in the obesity group (N = 42) if their body mass index (BMI) was equal to or above 30, and in the lean group (N = 42) if their BMI was below 25. The DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA and DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms were obtained. All subjects underwent neuropsychological assessment. Eating behavior traits were evaluated. The ‘DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA A1-allele status’ had a significant effect on almost all the executive variables, but no significant ‘DRD4 7R-allele status’ effects were observed for any of the executive variables analyzed. There was a significant ‘group’ x ‘DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA A1-allele status’ interaction effect on LN and ‘group’ x ‘DRD4 7R-allele status’ interaction effect on TMT B-A score. Being obese and a carrier of the A1 allele of DRD2/ANKK1-TaqIA or the 7R allele of DRD4 VNTR polymorphisms could confer a weakness as regards the performance of executive functions.

Examining the relationship between obesity and cognitive function: A systematic literature review

“…Results from the psychomotor performance tasks indicated significantly reduced performance in obese individuals [36]. On measures of processing speed, one study failed to find a difference on Symbol Digit Modalities Test performance between obese and healthy control groups [43]. The other study found scores on the WAIS Digit Symbol Substitution Subtest were significantly poorer for the obese group compared ORCP-376; No.…”

“…Average BMI ranged from 30.5 kg/m 2 [30] xxx.e12 C. Prickett et al [31], where averages were reported. Three of the studies included male participants only [32][33][34]; four studies assessed women only [35][36][37][38], while ten studies included both male and female participants [28][29][30][31][39][40][41][42][43][44]. Study design and comparison groups: Twelve studies were cross-sectional in design; four had cross-sectional and prospective components, with one case-control design.…”

“…One study assessed psychomotor abilities using a tap test, transfer co-ordination tests and a transverse speed test [36]. Two other studies utilised measures of processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test [43]; and WAIS Digit Symbol Substitution Subtest [30]). Results from the psychomotor performance tasks indicated significantly reduced performance in obese individuals [36].…”

Genetic Influences on Behavior in Nonhuman Primates

“…Polymorphisms in DRD2 (dopamine receptor D2, also an inhibitory receptor) have been associated with increased risk for alcoholism (Noble et al 1998), pathological gambling (Lobo et al 2010), and other addictive/impulse-control behaviors in humans (Ariza et al 2012).…”

Entrenamiento en remediación cognitiva y habilidades emocionales en formato grupal para pacientes con obesidad. Un estudio piloto

“…Los pacientes con AN presentan una pobre fl exibilidad cognitiva evidenciada en su difi cultad para adecuar su comportamiento a las demandas ambientales Aloi et al, 2015); una débil coherencia central, que les lleva a ignorar los aspectos globales y salientes de una situación y centrarse en los detalles (Aloi et al, 2015;Weider, Indredavik, lydersen, y Hestad, 2016); y un proceso de toma de decisiones centrado en la búsqueda de gratifi caciones a corto plazo ignorando las consecuencias a largo plazo (Galimberti et al, 2013;Matsumoto et al, 2015). En los pacientes con bulimia nerviosa y trastorno por atracón se ha observado un estilo cognitivo caracterizado por la infl exibilidad mental, perseverancia y problemas de cambio de enfoque (Ariza et al, 2012;Mobbs, Iglesias, Golay, y Van der Linden, 2011).…”