Dopamine found to be inversely associated with BMI. The higher the BMI, the lower the dopamine levels. This low dopamine would result in a proposed "pathological eating". As dopamine is the "pleasure" neurotransmitter, it would be easy to see how low dopamine would result in overeating.
The dopaminergic deficiency mechanism in obesity may primarily involve in dopamine receptors, but not dopamine transporters in a subset of non-binge eating obesity
The majority of the gene expression changes reported here are only induced by DHT and testosterone, and not by estradiol, indicating that in adolescent males androgen receptor, not ERα, activation is critical for these responses
It is less clear whether ERβ is involved or not as DHT, via conversion to 3β-diol has a high affinity for ERβ
the testosterone-induced, AR-driven modulation of molecular indices of dopamine responsivity of the nigrostriatal pathway may involve regulation of dopamine feedback inhibition in the somatodendritic field and post-synaptic dopamine action in the terminal field.
low dopamine Rc associated appears to increase addiction to sugar and its positive effect on these same receptors (and another that positively interacts with dopamine Rc's) and results in overeating and weight problems.
study points to a modest decrease in dopamine and serotonin production in heroic users. There appears to be a decrease in dopamine production, which could be via a down regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme and thus release. Decreased homovanillate also noted. Other studies have pointed to a decrease/downregulation of D2/D3 receptors.
Testosterone modulates dopaminergic pathways in the the brain. This was a rat model. This points to some of the euphoria experienced by men on Testosterone likely occurs through dopamine.
pilot study finds that NAC protects the dopaminergic neurons in the brains in cell line stud. Clinical found increased dopamine binding in the brain compared to placebo in individuals with Parkinson's disease.