title: A Behavioral Genetic Model of the Mechanisms Underlying the Link Between Obesity and Symptoms of ADHD.
abstract: Objective:The ADHD-obesity link has been suggested to result from a shared underlying basis of suboptimal dopamine (DA); however, this theory conflicts evidence that anamplifiedDA signal increases the risk for overeating and weight gain. A model was tested in which ADHD symptoms, predicted by hypodopaminergic functioning in the prefrontal cortex, in combination with an enhanced appetitive drive, predict hedonic eating and, in turn, higher body mass index (BMI).Method:DRD2 and DRD4 markers were genotyped. The model was tested using structural equation modeling in a nonclinical sample (N= 421 adults).Results:The model was a good fit to the data. Controlling for education, all parameter estimates were significant, except for the DRD4-ADHD symptom pathway. The significant indirect effect indicates that overeating mediated the ADHD symptoms-BMI association.Conclusion:Results support the hypothesis that overeating and elevated DA in the ventral striatum-representative of a greater reward response-contribute to the ADHD symptom-obesity relationship.
authors.affiliation: University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Patte
authors.affiliation: York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Levitan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Allan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.affiliation: Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carter-Major
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000235:genetics; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005824:Genetics, Behavioral; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics; D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D050638:Receptors, Dopamine D4
keywords: adult ADHD; dopamine; obesity; overeating