Genetic modulation of the serotonergic pathway: influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance.

The serotonergic pathway plays a major role in the development of obesity. Its activity can be modulated by the 5-HT transporter-linked polymorphic region in the SLC6A4 gene and the upstream variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the MAOA gene. We studied whether these genetic modulations have an influence on weight reduction and weight maintenance in a one-year weight reduction program (OPTIFAST52).