Anticipation may be a factor in diabetes

DURHAM, N.C., March 17 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say mouth-watering meal anticipation may be a factor in diabetes risk.

Researchers at Duke University in Durham, N.C., investigated the genetics behind type 2 diabetes and the mechanism of the parasympathetic nervous system, which triggers salivation -- and insulin production -- in those smelling or looking forward to a meal.

"We think this parasympathetic response is potentially important in type 2 diabetes," medical investigator Vann Bennett said in a statement. "Our study showed there is a novel mutation in the gene encoding ankyrin-B, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. This happens through an impairment of the insulin secretion that is added by the parasympathetic nervous system."

In the study, published in Science Signaling, the researchers looked at 524 people with diabetes and 498 non-diabetic controls and found one of the three mutations of ankyrin-B associated with type 2 diabetes in about 1 percent of Caucasian and Hispanic individuals.

Bennett said the small fraction found implies a large reservoir of genes linked to type 2 diabetes has yet to be identified.