Obesity And Diabetes Identified In Common Gene Mutation

An international research team discovered a link between dopamine receptors, genes associated with obesity, and diabetes. Led by scientists at the German Center for Diabetes Research, the research team observed mutations in dopamine receptor and FTO genes in rodents. Researcher Martin Heni stated when both genes are mutated, the affect on health can be far-reaching, as diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to properly process food into energy. The team discovered that rodents with altered FTO genes, or fat mass and obesity-associated proteins, consumed more food due to increasing dopamine activity in the brain.