Identification of pleiotropic genetic effects on obesity and brain anatomy.

Curran, J; McKay, DR; Winkler, A; Olvera, R; Carless, M; Dyer, T; Kent, J; Kochunov, P; Sprooten, E; Knowles, E; Comuzzie, A; Fox, P; Almasy, L; Duggirala, R; Blangero, J; Glahn, D

Neuroscience & Neuroimaging Research Collection

Journal article

Identification of pleiotropic genetic effects on obesity and brain anatomy.

Abstract:: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Obesity is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability, though current knowledge of causal biologic underpinnings is lacking. Through the regulation of energy homeostasis and interactions with adiposity and gut signals, the brain is thought to play a significant role in the development of this disorder. While neuroanatomical variation has been associated with obesity, it is unclear if this relationship is influenced by common genetic mechanisms. In this study, we sought genetic components that influence both brain anatomy and body mass index (BMI) to provide further insight into the role of the brain in energy homeostasis and obesity. METHODS: MRI images of brain anatomy were acquired in 839 Mexican American individuals from large extended pedigrees. Bivariate linkage and quantitative analyses were performed in SOLAR. RESULTS: Genetic factors associated with an increased BMI were also associated with a reduced cortical surface area and subcortical volume. We identified two genome-wide quantitative trait loci that influenced BMI and the ventral diencephalon volume, and BMI and the supramarginal gyrus surface area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first genetic analysis seeking evidence of pleiotropic effects acting on both brain anatomy and BMI. Our results suggest that a region on chromosome 17 contributes to the development of obesity, potentially through leptin-induced signaling in the hypothalamus, and that a region on chromosome 3 appears to jointly influence the food-related reward circuitry and the supramarginal gyrus.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Share
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Curran, J., McKay, D. R., Winkler, A., Olvera, R., Carless, M., Dyer, T., Kent, J., Kochunov, P., Sprooten, E., Knowles, E., Comuzzie, A., Fox, P., Almasy, L., Duggirala, R., Blangero, J., & Glahn, D. (2013). Identification of pleiotropic genetic effects on obesity and brain anatomy. Human Heredity, 75(2-4), 136–143.

MLA Style

Curran, J, et al. “Identification of Pleiotropic Genetic Effects on Obesity and Brain Anatomy.” Human Heredity, vol. 75, nos. 2-4, 2013, pp. 136–43.

Chicago Style

Curran, J, DR McKay, A Winkler, et al. 2013. “Identification of Pleiotropic Genetic Effects on Obesity and Brain Anatomy.” Human Heredity 75 (2-4): 136–43.
Print