Dopamine polymorphisms and depressive symptoms predict foods intake. Results from a nationally representative sample

Abstract

Depression and variation in dopamine related genes have both independently been associated with food consumption. Depressive symptoms could synergistically interact with genetic variation to influence food intake. We examined the interaction between high depressive symptoms and functional polymorphisms of dopamine transportor (SLC6A3), monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) on intake of high-calorie sweet, high-calorie non-sweet, and low-calorie foods in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine main effects of gene and depression symptoms and their interaction (genotype-by-high depression symptoms) on food categories. Applying a false discovery rate criterion for multiple comparisons indicated a statistically significant interaction for females with high depressive symptoms and the SLC6A3 gene, such that those with the SLC6A3 10/10 allele reported greater intake of high-calorie sweet foods than their counterparts high in depressive symptoms with the SLC6A3 any 9 allele (LS mean 10/10 allele = 2.5, SE = .13; LS mean any 9 allele = 1.8, SE = .13, p<.05). These findings highlight that the relationship between depression and food intake may vary as a function of genetic polymorphism. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Obesity and eating behaviour in children and adolescents: Contribution of common gene polymorphisms

“…Consistent with these data, DRD2 genotype appears to moderate the relationship between psychological control and emotional eating, where adolescents with at least one DRD2 A1 allele showed an increase in emotional eating in relation to high parental psychological control (van Strien et al, 2010). Additionally, there is evidence in female adolescents to suggest that symptoms of depression and dopamine transporter SLC6A3 genotype interact producing a synergistic increase in intake of high-energy sweet foods (Agurs-Collins & Fuemmeler, 2011). Together, these fi ndings suggest that dopamine polymorphisms may be important moderators of reward related food intake associated with a hypo-functioning reward system, and may confer an increased risk of early onset obesity.…”

Adesão à dieta por idosos com síndrome metabólica assistidos na Estratégia Saúde da Família: frequência e associação com depressão

“…Qualquer desregulação nesses sistemas, ou até mesmo a deficiência ou diminuição dos receptores para esses peptídeos, pode influenciar o humor e o comportamento. No enfrentamento de situações estressoras ou de desgaste emocional, indivíduos que sofrem algum transtorno de humor podem aumentar o consumo de alimentos altamente palatáveis, como doces e carboidratos, de forma a compensar as deficiências provocadas pela desregulação desses hormônios [34][35][36][37].…”

Preconception Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Birth Outcomes in Adolescent Girls

“…36 These 55 items were grouped into three categories based on a previous analysis: high-calorie sweet, high-calorie non-sweet, and low-calorie food. 37 High-calorie sweet category includes foods such as doughnuts, ice cream, chocolate candy, regular candy, and cookies. High-calorie non-sweet items include steak, fried chicken, fried fish, pizza, hot dogs, sausage, cheese, whole milk etc.…”