The Prefrontal Cortex and Obesity: A Health Neuroscience Perspective.

Cassandra J Lowe, Amy C Reichelt, Peter A Hall

Journal: Trends in cognitive sciences 2020;23(4):349-361

PMID: 30824229

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

In the modern obesogenic environment, limiting calorie-dense food consumption is partially dependent on the capacity of individuals to override visceral reactions to hyperpalatable and rewarding food cues. In the current review, we employ a health neuroscience framework to outline: (i) how individual variations in prefrontal cortical structure and functionality, and by extension, executive functions, may predispose an individual to the overconsumption of appetitive calorie-dense foods via differences in dietary self-regulation; (ii) how obesity may result in changes to cortical structure and functionality; and (iii) how the relationship between the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex and obesity may be best described as reciprocal in nature.

Address: BrainsCAN, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].; BrainsCAN, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada; Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 3K7, Canada; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia.; School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.

DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2019.01.005

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MeSH Terms: Executive Function, Feeding Behavior, Humans, Neurosciences, Obesity, Prefrontal Cortex, Self-Control