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 123IIBZM 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. CONCLUSION: 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.