Neural processing of food cues in pre-pubertal children.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

Neuroimaging investigations of brain pathways involved in reward and motivation have primarily focused on adults. This study sought to identify brain responses to visual food cues and explore its relationships with adiposity and sex in pre-pubertal children.

Methods

Brain responses to palatable food vs. non-food cues were measured in 53 children (age: 8.18 ± .66 years; sex: 22 boys, 31 girls) after an overnight fast. Whole-brain analysis (cluster-correction Z > 2.3, P < .05) was performed to examine brain food cue reactivity and its relationships with adiposity and sex.

Results

Greater brain activity in response to food vs. non-food cues was observed in regions implicated in reward (orbital frontal cortex, striatum), taste (insula, postcentral gy

SUBMITTER: Luo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6336530 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature