Moore CF, Sabino V, Koob GF, Cottone P. Neuroscience of Compulsive Eating Behavior.
Front Neurosci 2017;
11:469. [PMID:
28883784 PMCID:
PMC5573809 DOI:
10.3389/fnins.2017.00469]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
A systematic characterization of compulsivity in pathological forms of eating has been proposed in the context of three functional domains: (1) habitual overeating; (2) overeating to relieve a negative emotional state; and (3) overeating despite aversive consequences. In this review, we provide evidence supporting this hypothesis and we differentiate the nascent field of neurocircuits and neurochemical mediators of compulsive eating through their underlying neuropsychobiological processes. A better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to compulsive eating behavior can improve behavioral and pharmacological intervention for disorders of pathological eating.
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