Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
06:08
Author Spotlight: Semi-Automated Isolation of the Stromal Vascular Fraction from Murine White Adipose Tissue Using a Tissue Dissociator
Published on: May 19, 2023
2.8K
FTO genotype and aging: pleiotropic longitudinal effects on adiposity, brain function, impulsivity and diet
Y-F Chuang1, T Tanaka2, L L Beason-Held3
1Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Unit, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Molecular Psychiatry
|May 28, 2014
Summary
The FTO gene variant rs1421085 influences body mass index and brain function during aging. Risk allele carriers show increased adiposity, impulsivity, and fatty food intake, suggesting a neural mechanism for obesity-related behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
Background:
- Obesity and overweight are linked to adverse health outcomes in older adults.
- The FTO gene is associated with adiposity and mental health, but its role in aging-related obesity is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the FTO gene variant rs1421085 influences adiposity and brain function changes during aging.
- To explore the association between FTO genotype and longitudinal changes in body mass index, impulsivity, and food preferences.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the FTO gene variant rs1421085 in participants from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
- Assessment of longitudinal changes in body mass index, medial prefrontal cortical function, impulsivity, and dietary intake.
Main Results:
- FTO risk allele carriers exhibited dose-dependent increases in body mass index during aging.
- The FTO risk allele was associated with reduced medial prefrontal cortical function.
- Risk allele carriers showed increased impulsivity and higher intake of fatty foods.
Conclusions:
- The FTO gene variant rs1421085 influences longitudinal trajectories of adiposity and brain function in aging.
- A common neural mechanism may link FTO-associated impulsivity and high-calorie food consumption in older adults.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Human Genetics
2.0K
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
2.0K
01:24Obesity
1.5K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
01:30Biological Influences on Intelligence
732
Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter...
732
01:33Pleiotropy
31.2K
Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
31.2K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
5.8K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
5.8K
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
1.4K
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.4K