Who gains? Genetic and neurophysiological correlates of BMI gain upon college entry in women

• Correlates of the presence/absence of college weight gain were examined.
• Various indicators of impulsivity and impaired cognitive control were assessed.
• Weight gain was associated with a substance-dependence-associated ANKK1 genotype.
• It was also associated with impulsivity and delays in an event-related EEG response.

The present investigation examined P3 event-related electroencephalographic potentials and a short and selected list of addiction-related candidate gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 84 female students, aged 18–20 yrs. The students were assigned to groups defined by the presence versus absence of a positive body mass index (BMI) change from the pre-college physical exam to the current day. Analyses revealed significantly greater P3 latencies and reduced P3 amplitudes during a response inhibition task among students who exhibited a BMI gain. BMI gain was also significantly associated with a ANKK1 SNP previously implicated in substance dependence risk. In logistic regression analyses, P3 latencies at the frontal electrode and this ANKK1 genotype correctly classified 71.1% of the students into the BMI groups. The present findings suggest that heritable indicators of impaired response inhibition can differentiate students who may be on a path toward an overweight or obese body mass.