Dopamine, the neurotransmitter (also associated
with addiction to cocaine, alcohol, and other drugs)
may play an important role in obesity. According to
a study by scientists at the U.S. Department of
Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, obese people
appear to have fewer receptors for dopamine,
a neurotransmitter that helps produce feelings of
satisfaction and pleasure. The findings, which will
appear in the February 3, 2001 issue of The Lancet,
have suggested to some that obese people may eat more
to try to stimulate the dopamine "pleasure" circuits
in their brains, just as addicts do by taking drugs.
Other explanations, such that the level of the dopamine
receptor might be repressed by chronic over-eating,
must also be considered, however.
Much more (and pet-pictures) here:
www.bio.com/os/htmlos/p.a.g.e/news/research/view_research.html/1314.1.620527
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