What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Dopamine Receptor Density: 5/10 evidence, 71 publications.
You're viewing every possible genotype for this variant.
None of these is your result. Use the genotype toggle to compare them, then sign up and upload your DNA to see which one is yours.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Typical Dopamine Receptor Density
This genotype is associated with a typical number of dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. It is linked to standard reward processing and a higher success rate when using certain smoking cessation aids.
What this genotype means: Typical dopamine receptor density; Higher success rate quitting smoking with bupropion; Typical baseline risk for addictive behaviors.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Lowest Dopamine Receptors and Elevated Reward Seeking
Carrying two copies of the variant allele is linked to the lowest density of dopamine receptors. This significantly increases the risk for addictive behaviors and alters responses to several medications.
What this genotype means: Lowest density of dopamine D2 receptors; Bupropion is highly unlikely to assist in smoking cessation; Elevated risk of alcohol dependence and obesity.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Reduced Dopamine Receptors and Higher Reward Seeking
Carrying one copy of the variant allele is linked to fewer dopamine receptors in the brain. This can increase the drive for external rewards and lower the effectiveness of certain smoking cessation drugs.
What this genotype means: Fewer dopamine D2 receptors in the brain; Reduced effectiveness of bupropion for quitting smoking; Slightly higher risk of obesity and alcohol dependence.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The ANKK1 gene encodes ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1, a protein closely linked to the brain's dopaminergic reward pathway. It is located immediately downstream of the DRD2 gene, which encodes the dopamine D2 receptor [1]. Because of this proximity, genetic variations in ANKK1 directly influence how many dopamine D2 receptors are expressed in the striatum, a key brain region for pleasure, motivation, and habit formation [2]. Alterations in this system can shift how the brain processes rewards, manages impulses, and responds to environmental feedback [3].
Variant Impact: The rs1800497 variant, historically known as the TaqIA polymorphism, is a missense mutation in the ANKK1 gene that changes the amino acid glutamate to lysine at position 713. This structural change alters the expression of nearby dopamine D2 receptors, with the variant A allele leading to a significant reduction in dopamine binding sites in the brain [1]. This receptor deficit creates a state of relative dopamine understimulation, which is heavily linked to reward-seeking behaviors and altered responses to feedback [3]. It also plays a major role in how individuals respond to various neuropsychiatric medications and smoking cessation therapies [4].
Read on the Reward & Motivation page
Key Insight: The famous TaqIA variant was believed for decades to be inside the DRD2 gene, but modern sequencing revealed it actually sits in the neighboring ANKK1 gene while still controlling dopamine receptor density.
Location: ANKK1. Chromosome 11 · 11q23.2 · 113.4 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 55.5%; European 64.7%; African 43.5%; East Asian 36.1%; South Asian 50.2%; Americas 46.4%; Ashkenazi 69.1%; Finnish 61.5%; Middle Eastern 71.7%; Amish 73.4%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 37.3%; European 31.5%; African 44.9%; East Asian 48.0%; South Asian 41.3%; Americas 43.4%; Ashkenazi 28.1%; Finnish 33.8%; Middle Eastern 25.9%; Amish 24.5%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 7.2%; European 3.8%; African 11.6%; East Asian 15.9%; South Asian 8.5%; Americas 10.2%; Ashkenazi 2.9%; Finnish 4.7%; Middle Eastern 2.3%; Amish 2.1%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Neurology & Mental Health
Addiction & Reward
Dopamine Receptor Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9429233. Typical Density.
Smoking Cessation. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18058343. Higher Success.
Alcohol Use Disorder. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9650634. Typical Risk.
Memory, Learning & Attention
Learning from Mistakes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22244514. Typical Learning.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Obesity & Body Composition
Obesity. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 22541053. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Dopamine Receptor Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9429233. Lowest Density.
Smoking Cessation. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18058343. Lowest Success.
Alcohol Use Disorder. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9650634. ~1.4x Higher Risk.
Learning from Mistakes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 22244514. Reduced Learning.
Obesity. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 22541053. Increased Risk.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
Dopamine Receptor Levels. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9429233. Reduced Density.
Smoking Cessation. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18058343. Lower Success.
Alcohol Use Disorder. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 9650634. Increased Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
This genotype represents the baseline state for dopamine receptor density in the brain, carrying two copies of the major G allele [1]. Individuals with this profile typically have a standard density of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum, allowing for typical reward signaling and behavioral reinforcement [2]. When attempting to quit smoking, people with this genotype show a significantly higher success rate when using the medication bupropion compared to a placebo [3]. They also exhibit a typical baseline risk for alcohol dependence and obesity compared to carriers of the variant allele [4]. Furthermore, this genetic profile is associated with a typical ability to learn from mistakes and avoid repeating errors [5].
Typical dopamine receptor density; Higher success rate quitting smoking with bupropion; Typical baseline risk for addictive behaviors.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the variant A allele results in the lowest density of dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum [1]. This pronounced receptor deficit often leads to a persistent state of dopamine understimulation, which strongly drives reward-seeking behaviors and increases vulnerability to substance use [2]. Research shows that the smoking cessation drug bupropion is generally ineffective for individuals with this genotype [3]. There is a estimated 1.4-fold increase in the risk of alcohol dependence, alongside a higher susceptibility to obesity [4]. This genotype is also associated with a reduced capacity to learn from mistakes and a slower cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injuries [5].
Lowest density of dopamine D2 receptors; Bupropion is highly unlikely to assist in smoking cessation; Elevated risk of alcohol dependence and obesity.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
Carrying one copy of the variant A allele is associated with a notable reduction in dopamine D2 receptor density in the brain [1]. This receptor deficit can lead to a state of mild dopamine understimulation, which often manifests as an increased drive to seek out external rewards such as food, alcohol, or nicotine [2]. Clinical studies indicate that individuals with this genotype do not experience the same benefit from the smoking cessation drug bupropion as those with the typical genotype [3]. There is also an associated increase in the risk of developing alcohol dependence and obesity [4]. Additionally, this profile is linked to a reduced ability to learn from negative feedback, sometimes described as being less effective at avoiding errors [5].
Fewer dopamine D2 receptors in the brain; Reduced effectiveness of bupropion for quitting smoking; Slightly higher risk of obesity and alcohol dependence.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2734849 · ANKK1 Gene · Chr 11 · Addiction and Anxiety Risk
rs686 · DRD1 Gene · Chr 5 · Addiction Risk
rs1051730 · CHRNA3 Gene · Chr 15 · Nicotine and Lung Risk
Reward deficiency syndrome: genetic aspects of behavioral disorders.
The D2 dopamine receptor gene: a review of association studies in alcoholism and phenotypes.
Sensorimotor gating and D2 receptor signalling: evidence from a molecular genetic approach.
Content updated August 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com