Four (NUGGC, EFR3B, RTP4, and ACAN) out of the six genes that were found to be downregulated in the HD group when compared to the ND group and were also upregulated in the HDT group when compared to the HD group were reported to be associated with obesity in earlier studies70–73. This evidence concerns the gene NUGGC and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.