A game theory appraisal of the insurance hypothesis: Specific polymorphisms in the energy homeostasis network as imprints of a successful minimax strategy. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mattei, Tobias A.
• Is Part Of: Behavioral and brain sciences. Volume 40(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Brain -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X16001485
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-525X

Abstract

Abstract: The existence of specific polymorphisms in genes of key hormones of the energy homeostasis network that have been shown to predispose to obesity and the so-called metabolic syndrome provides further biological support for the proposed insurance hypothesis. In a broader sense, such polymorphisms can be understood as biological imprints of an evolutionarily successful minimax strategy employed by ancient Homo sapiens subpopulations in a one-player game against nature.