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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2017

Tobias A. Mattei
Tobias A. Mattei*
Affiliation:
Interdisciplinary Research Group in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroeconomics and Game Theory – Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME 04401. tobiasmattei@gmail.com
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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.

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Open Peer Commentary
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Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 40 , 2017 , e123
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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