Scientists identify new genetic variants that increase the risk of obesity up to six times. Understanding that these rare variants in genes like BSN and APBA1 have a strong effect opens avenues for new research into the mechanisms of obesity and how it can be prevented or treated.
The work could also have uncovered a hitherto unknown mechanism related to obesity. "The BSN gene is involved in synaptic function, which is crucial for communication between neurons in the brain," says researcher José Ordovás from Tufts University.