What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Dopamine Receptor Function: 6/10 evidence, 52 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
Higher Schizophrenia Risk and Lower Learning Efficiency
This genotype is associated with increased dopamine D2 receptor availability, which elevates the risk of schizophrenia. It may also lead to a poorer response to certain antipsychotic medications and a higher baseline body weight.
What this genotype means: Increased risk of schizophrenia; Poorer response to aripiprazole; Higher baseline body weight.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical Schizophrenia Risk and Faster Avoidance Learning
This genotype is associated with lower dopamine receptor availability, providing a protective effect against schizophrenia. It also enhances the ability to learn quickly from negative feedback.
What this genotype means: Typical risk of schizophrenia; Faster learning from negative feedback; Better initial response to nicotine.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Moderately Elevated Schizophrenia Risk
Carrying one copy of the G allele moderately increases the risk of schizophrenia compared to the baseline. However, it is also associated with a better initial response to nicotine.
What this genotype means: Moderately increased risk of schizophrenia; Better initial response to nicotine.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The DRD2 gene encodes the D2 subtype of the dopamine receptor, a key protein in the brain's reward and motor systems. This receptor plays a critical role in modulating synaptic transmission and is a primary target for antipsychotic medications [1]. Variations in this gene can alter the density of D2 receptors in the striatum, affecting how the brain processes reward and reinforcement [2]. It is heavily implicated in cognitive flexibility, impulse control, and susceptibility to various neuropsychiatric conditions [3].
Variant Impact: The rs6277 variant is a synonymous change in exon 7 of the DRD2 gene, often referred to as C957T. Although it does not alter the amino acid sequence of the receptor, it significantly impacts mRNA stability and translation efficiency [1]. The G allele is associated with higher mRNA stability and increased receptor availability, whereas the A allele reduces translation efficiency [2]. This molecular shift alters dopamine binding capacity in the striatum, influencing cognitive processing and disease risk [4].
Key Insight: This variant is synonymous, meaning it does not change the protein's amino acids, yet it significantly alters how much of the protein is actually made in the brain.
Location: DRD2. Chromosome 11 · 11q23.2 · 113.4 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 42.5%; European 21.1%; African 76.4%; East Asian 88.5%; South Asian 42.2%; Americas 45.1%; Ashkenazi 21.2%; Finnish 30.9%; Middle Eastern 26.7%; Amish 14.8%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 40.0%; European 49.7%; African 22.0%; East Asian 11.1%; South Asian 45.5%; Americas 44.1%; Ashkenazi 49.7%; Finnish 49.4%; Middle Eastern 49.9%; Amish 47.3%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 17.5%; European 29.2%; African 1.6%; East Asian 0.4%; South Asian 12.3%; Americas 10.8%; Ashkenazi 29.1%; Finnish 19.7%; Middle Eastern 23.3%; Amish 37.9%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Neurology & Mental Health
Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18255274. ~1.6x Higher Risk.
Memory, Learning & Attention
Learning from Mistakes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 19393722. Typical.
Addiction & Reward
Nicotine Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18690117. Typical.
Pharmacogenomics
Antidepressant & Psychiatric Drug Response
Aripiprazole Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18926547. Poorer Response.
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Obesity & Body Composition
Body Weight. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40436827. Higher Weight.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Schizophrenia. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18255274. Typical Risk.
Learning from Mistakes. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 19393722. Faster Learning.
Nicotine Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18690117. Stronger Response.
Aripiprazole Response. Evidence: 5/10. Source: PMID 18926547. Typical.
Body Weight. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 40436827. Typical.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
Schizophrenia. Evidence: 4/10. Source: PMID 18255274. ~1.4x Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the G allele leads to higher stability of DRD2 mRNA, resulting in increased dopamine receptor density in the brain [1]. This elevated receptor availability is linked to a roughly 1.6-fold higher risk of developing schizophrenia [2]. Additionally, individuals with this genotype may experience a less optimal response to the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole [3]. Research also indicates a potential association with higher body weight and a typical rate of learning from negative outcomes [4].
Increased risk of schizophrenia; Poorer response to aripiprazole; Higher baseline body weight.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Carrying two copies of the A allele reduces the stability of the DRD2 messenger RNA, leading to lower receptor availability in the striatum [1]. This reduction is associated with a typical, non-elevated risk of schizophrenia [2]. Behaviorally, individuals with this genotype excel at NoGo learning, meaning they adaptively learn to avoid actions that lead to negative outcomes more quickly [3]. Furthermore, this genotype is linked to a better initial response to nicotine, which may aid in smoking cessation strategies [4].
Typical risk of schizophrenia; Faster learning from negative feedback; Better initial response to nicotine.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
This heterozygous genotype represents an intermediate state of dopamine receptor expression in the striatum [1]. It is associated with a 1.4-fold increase in the risk of schizophrenia compared to the protective A/A genotype [2]. On the behavioral side, carriers of this genotype show typical cognitive flexibility and learning patterns. Interestingly, some pharmacogenomic research suggests that individuals with this genotype may have a more favorable response to nicotine, which can influence smoking cessation outcomes [3].
Moderately increased risk of schizophrenia; Better initial response to nicotine.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2514218 · DRD2 Gene · Chr 11 · Mental Health Risk
rs1801028 · DRD2 Gene · Chr 11 · Schizophrenia Risk
rs1076560 · DRD2 Gene · Chr 11 · Dopamine and Addiction Risk
Genetic contributions to avoidance-based decisions: striatal D2 receptor polymorphisms.
Gene and gene by sex associations with initial sensitivity to nicotine in nonsmokers.
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