4 new genetic variants associated with weight gain

(Image: Pixabay CC0) - A research group at the University of Lausanne has carried out the largest genome-wide study of weight gain induced by psychotropic drugs. This work has identified 4 new genetic variants associated with this metabolic disorder. Interindividual variability in psychotropic drug-induced weight gain . The prevalence of metabolic disorders in the psychiatric population is a cause for concern, and particularly high among patients taking psychotropic drugs that induce weight gain. While some may rapidly become obese or overweight after starting pharmacological treatment, others seem to be protected. This significant inter-individual variability represents a major challenge for physicians and their patients, not least because undesirable metabolic effects are a major source of treatment interruption, associated with an increased risk of relapse. Over the past few years, Prof. Chin Bin Eap's research group (FBM and Centre de neurosciences psychiatriques (CNP) at CHUV) has demonstrated that numerous clinical, genetic and environmental factors are involved in psychotropic drug-induced weight gain and metabolic worsening.