Lower striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in obese compared with non-obese subjects.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a result of a relative excess in energy intake over energy expenditure. These processes are controlled by genetic, environmental, psychological and biological factors. One of the factors involved in the regulation of food intake and satiety is dopaminergic signalling. A small number of studies have reported that striatal dopamine D2/D3 receptor [D2/3R] availability is lower in morbidly obese subjects.


METHODS
To confirm the role of D2/3R in obesity, we measured striatal D2/3R availability, using [123I]IBZM SPECT, in 15 obese women and 15 non-obese controls.


RESULTS
Striatal D2/3R availability was 23% (p = 0.028) lower in obese compared with non-obese women.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is an independent replication of the finding that severely obese subjects have lower striatal D2/3R availability. Our findings invigorate the evidence for lower striatal D2/3R availability in obesity and confirm the role of the striatal dopaminergic reward system in obesity.
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, 1105 AZ, The Netherlands. B.A.deWeijer@amc.uva.nl.
Barbara A
BA
de Weijer
Elsmarieke
E
van de Giessen
Thérèse A
TA
van Amelsvoort
Erik
E
Boot
Breg
B
Braak
Ignace M
IM
Janssen
Arnold
A
van de Laar
Eric
E
Fliers
Mireille J
MJ
Serlie
Jan
J
Booij