The Effect of Food Composition and Behavior on Neurobiological Response to Food: a Review of Recent Research.

Eliza L Gordon, Michelle R Lent, Lisa J Merlo

Journal: Current nutrition reports 2021;9(2):75-82

PMID: 32157660

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Controversy surrounds the construct of food addiction. The current review examines neurobiological evidence for the existence of food addiction as a valid diagnosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent neuroimaging studies suggest significant overlap in the areas of the brain that are activated in relation to both food and drug addiction. Specifically, areas of the brain implicated in executive functioning (e.g., attention, planning, decision-making, inhibition), pleasure and the experience of reward, and sensory input and motor functioning display increased activation among individuals with symptoms of both food and drug addiction. Proposed symptoms of food addiction mirror those comprising other substance use disorder diagnoses, with similar psychological and behavioral sequelae. Results of neuroimaging studies suggest significant overlap in the areas of the brain that are activated in relation to both food and drug addiction, providing support for continued research into the construct of food addiction.

Address: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 100165, Gainesville, FL, 32610-0165, USA.; School of Professional and Applied Psychology, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowland Hall 532a, 4190 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19131, USA.; Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, L4-100K, PO Box 100256, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s13668-020-00305-5

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Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-BRIP1-5

MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Adult, Behavior, Addictive, Brain, Child, Electroencephalography, Executive Function, Female, Food Addiction, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Neurobiology, Neuroimaging, Pleasure, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography, Reward, Sensorimotor Cortex, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult