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Studies from University of Washington add new findings in the area of weight loss
2009 AUG 3 - (NewsRx.com) -- In this recently published article, scientists in the United States conducted a study "To develop a non-invasive method of studying brain mechanisms involved in energy homeostasis and appetite regulation in humans by using visual food cues that are relevant to individuals attempting weight loss. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to compare brain activation in regions of interest between groups of food photographs." "Ten healthy, non-obese women who were not dieting for weight loss. Independent raters viewed food photographs and evaluated whether the foods depicted should be eaten by individuals attempting a calorically-restricted diet. Based on their responses, we categorized photographs into 'non-fattening' and 'fattening' food groups, the latter characterized by high-caloric content and usually also high-fat or high-sugar content. Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) response was measured by fMRI while participants viewed photographs of 'fattening' food, 'non-fattening' food, and non-food objects. Viewing photographs of fattening food compared with non-food objects resulted in significantly greater activation in the brainstem; hypothalamus; left amygdala; left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; left orbitofrontal cortex; right insular cortex; bilateral striatum, including the nucleus accumbens, caudate nucleus, and putamen; bilateral thalamus; and occipital lobe. By comparison, only the occipital region had greater activation by non-fattening food than by object photographs. Combining responses to all food types resulted in attenuation of activation in the brainstem, hypothalamus, and striatum. These findings suggest that, in non-obese women, neural circuits engaged in energy homeostasis and reward processing are selectively attuned to representations of high-calorie foods that are perceived as fattening. Studies to investigate hormonal action or manipulation of energy balance may benefit from fMRI protocols that contrast energy-rich food stimuli with non-food or low-calorie food stimuli," wrote E.A. Schur and colleagues, University of Washington. The researchers concluded: "International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 653-661; doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.56; published online 14 April 2009." Schur and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Obesity (Activation in brain energy regulation and reward centers by food cues varies with choice of visual stimulus. International Journal of Obesity, 2009;33(6):653-661). For more information, contact E.A. Schur, University of Washington, Dept. of Medical, Harborview Med Center, Division General Internal Medical, School Medical, Box 359780, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Obesity is: Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England. Keywords: United States, Seattle, Bariatrics, Behavior, Magnetic Resonance, Neuroimaging, Obesity, Weight Loss, University of Washington. This article was prepared by Obesity & Diabetes Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Obesity & Diabetes Week via NewsRx.com.
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