Lower dopamine tone in the striatum is associated with higher body mass index

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

Existing literature suggests that striatal dopamine (DA) tone may be altered in individuals with higher body mass index (BMI), but evidence accrued so far only offers an incomplete view of their relationship. Here, we characterized striatal DA tone using more comprehensive measures within a larger sample than previously reported. In addition, we explored if there was a relationship between striatal DA tone and disinhibited eating. 60 healthy participants underwent a 6-[ 18 F]fluoro-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ( 18 F-DOPA) positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Disinhibited eating was measured with the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire on a baseline visit. Individual whole-brain PET parameter estimates, namely 18 F-DOPA influx rate constant (k occ i.e. DA synthesis capacity), 18 F-DA washout rate (k loss ) and effective distribution volume ratio (EDVR= k occ / k loss ), were derived with a reversible-tracer graphical analysis approach. We then computed parameter estimates for three regions-of-interests (ROIs), namely the ventral striatum, putamen and caudate. Overweight/mildly obese individuals had lowered EDVR than normal weight individuals in all three ROIs. The most prominent of these associations, driven by lowered k occ (r = −.28, p =.035) and heightened k loss (r =.48, p <.001), was found in the ventral striatum (r = −.46, p <.001). Disinhibition was greater in higher-BMI individuals (r =.31, p =.015), but was unrelated to PET measures and did not explain the relationship between PET measures and BMI. In sum, our findings resonate with the notion that overweight/mildly obese individuals have lower striatal DA tone and suggest new avenues for investigating their underlying mechanisms.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)719-731
Seitenumfang13
FachzeitschriftEuropean neuropsychopharmacology
Jahrgang28
Ausgabenummer6
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Juni 2018
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

PubMed 29705023
ORCID /0000-0001-5398-5569/work/150329503

Schlagworte

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

Schlagwörter

  • Body mass index, Dopamine, Fluorodopa F 18, Overweight, Positron-emission tomography, Striatum