Amodal brain activation and functional connectivity in response to high-energy-density food cues in obesity.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The obesogenic environment is pervasive, yet only some people become obese. The aim was to investigate whether obese individuals show differential neural responses to visual and auditory food cues, independent of cue modality.

Methods

Obese (BMI 29-41, n = 10) and lean (BMI 20-24, n = 10) females underwent fMRI scanning during presentation of auditory (spoken word) and visual (photograph) cues representing high-energy-density (ED) and low-ED foods. The effect of obesity on whole-brain activation, and on functional connectivity with the midbrain/VTA, was examined.

Results

Obese compared with lean women showed greater modality-independent activation of the midbrain/VTA and putamen in response to high-ED (vs. low-ED) cues, as well as relatively greater function

SUBMITTER: Carnell S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4224976 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature