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Pasquale EK, Boyar AM, Boutelle KN. Reward and Inhibitory Control as Mechanisms and Treatment Targets for Binge Eating Disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2024:10.1007/s11920-024-01534-z. [PMID: 39316228 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-024-01534-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent research has highlighted alterations in reward and inhibitory control among individuals with binge eating disorder, identifying both constructs as potential targets for treatment. Treatments targeting reward and inhibitory control for binge eating disorder are emerging. This review aims to summarize the recent literature evaluating reward and inhibitory control in binge eating disorder compared to weight-matched controls using behavioral paradigms and neuroimaging. This review also aims to summarize recent literature evaluating treatments for binge eating targeting these mechanisms and highlights additional work needed in these areas. RECENT FINDINGS Reward hypersensitivity and impaired inhibitory control are mechanisms underlying binge eating disorder. Individuals with binge eating disorder experience higher initial reward to food, and later, higher anticipatory reward but lower experienced food reward which maintains binge eating behavior. Treatments targeting reward and inhibitory control for binge eating include behavioral, computerized trainings, pharmacological, and neuromodulation treatments. The majority of trials are small but demonstrate promise in reducing binge eating and targeting theorized mechanisms. Larger, randomized trials are needed. Changes in reward and inhibitory control are present in individuals with binge eating disorder and treatments targeting these mechanisms demonstrate initial promise. Greater research is needed evaluating reward and inhibitory control simultaneously and with weight-matched comparison groups, as well as larger randomized trials that target both processes simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen K Pasquale
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA, 92120, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Allison M Boyar
- San Diego State University/University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 103, San Diego, CA, 92120, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kerri N Boutelle
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Atwood ME. Emotion dysregulation and obesity: A conceptual review of the literature. Clin Obes 2024:e12699. [PMID: 39119935 DOI: 10.1111/cob.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Problematic eating behaviours are prevalent in individuals living with obesity and have been linked to weight gain over time. Furthermore, there is evidence that heightened negative emotionality is common in a subset of individuals living with obesity and that negative emotions often precede problematic eating behaviours. Consequently, several theories have highlighted emotion dysregulation as a potential explanatory mechanism of this relationship. However, to date, no comprehensive review has compiled the specific ways in which individuals living with obesity exhibit emotion dysregulation. The present review utilizes Gratz and Roemer's (2004) multidimensional conceptualization of emotion regulation and dysregulation as a framework to summarize the extant literature on emotion dysregulation in obesity. Specifically, this review examines research related to: (1) awareness and clarity of emotions; (2) acceptance of, and willingness to experience, emotion; (3) the ability to remain goal directed and inhibit impulsive behaviour when distressed; and (4) access to emotion regulation strategies. Overall, findings from the present review demonstrate that individuals living with obesity exhibit deficits in emotion clarity, and experience difficulty inhibiting impulsive behaviour and remaining goal directed when experiencing emotion. Strengths and limitations of the literature are reviewed, and future research directions and clinical implications are discussed in light of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly E Atwood
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Hilbert A, Rösch SA, Petroff D, Prettin C, Lührs M, Ehlis AC, Schmidt R. Near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography neurofeedback for binge-eating disorder: an exploratory randomized trial. Psychol Med 2024; 54:675-686. [PMID: 37964437 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Binge-eating disorder (BED) co-occurs with neurobehavioral alterations in the processing of disorder-relevant content such as visual food stimuli. Whether neurofeedback (NF) directly targeting them is suited for treatment remains unclear. This study sought to determine feasibility and estimate effects of individualized, functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based real-time NF (rtfNIRS-NF) and high-beta electroencephalography-based NF (EEG-NF), assuming superiority over waitlist (WL). METHODS Single-center, assessor-blinded feasibility study with randomization to rtfNIRS-NF, EEG-NF, or WL and assessments at baseline (t0), postassessment (t1), and 6-month follow-up (t2). NF comprised 12 60-min food-specific rtfNIRS-NF or EEG-NF sessions over 8 weeks. Primary outcome was the binge-eating frequency at t1 assessed interview-based. Secondary outcomes included feasibility, eating disorder symptoms, mental and physical health, weight management-related behavior, executive functions, and brain activity at t1 and t2. RESULTS In 72 patients (intent-to-treat), the results showed feasibility of NF regarding recruitment, attrition, adherence, compliance, acceptance, and assessment completion. Binge eating improved at t1 by -8.0 episodes, without superiority of NF v. WL (-0.8 episodes, 95% CI -2.4 to 4.0), but with improved estimates in NF at t2 relative to t1. NF was better than WL for food craving, anxiety symptoms, and body mass index, but overall effects were mostly small. Brain activity changes were near zero. CONCLUSIONS The results show feasibility of food-specific rtfNIRS-NF and EEG-NF in BED, and no posttreatment differences v. WL, but possible continued improvement of binge eating. Confirmatory and mechanistic evidence is warranted in a double-blind randomized design with long-term follow-up, considering dose-response relationships and modes of delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - David Petroff
- Clinical Trial Centre Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Michael Lührs
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Brain Innovation B.V., Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ann-Christin Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Wimmer J, Lührs M, Ehlis AC, Hilbert A. Mechanisms underlying fNIRS-neurofeedback over the prefrontal cortex for participants with binge-eating disorder. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 156:57-68. [PMID: 37871494 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite the increasing popularity of neurofeedback (NF), aiming at voluntary modulation of dysfunctional prefrontal cortex (PFC) signals in the treatment of binge-eating disorder (BED) and/or overweight, mechanisms remain poorly understood. METHODS Based on a randomized-controlled trial offering 12 food-specific real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF sessions to participants with BED (n = 22), this preregistered study examined (1) online regulation success as predictor for offline regulation success, defined by PFC signals during regulation versus watch, and subjective regulation success, and (2) changes in loss of control (LOC) eating after vs. before and across 12 rtfNIRS-NF-sessions. RESULTS Higher online regulation success expectedly predicted better subjective, but worse offline regulation success. LOC eating decreased after vs. before, but not over rtfNIRS-NF-sessions, and was not associated with subjective or offline regulation success. CONCLUSIONS The association between online and subjective regulation success confirmed the presumed mechanism of operant conditioning underlying rtfNIRS-NF-learning. The contrary association between online and offline regulation indicated differential PFC involvement upon subtraction of automatic food-specific responses from regulation signals for offline success. Decreased LOC eating after food-specific rtfNIRS-NF-sessions suggested the potential of NF in BED treatment. SIGNIFICANCE Results may guide the optimization of future NF studies in larger samples with BED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jytte Wimmer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Lührs
- Brain Innovation B.V, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 55, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health (TüCMH), University of Tübingen, Calwerstrasse 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Stephanstrasse 9a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Hilbert A. Predictors of neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder: An exploratory study. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:2283-2294. [PMID: 37737523 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Knowledge on predictors for treatment response to psychotherapy in binge-eating disorder (BED) is mixed and not yet available for increasingly popular neurofeedback (NF) treatment targeting self-regulation of aberrant brain activity. This study examined eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for NF treatment success in BED. METHOD Patients with BED (N = 78) were randomized to 12 sessions of real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF, targeting individual prefrontal cortex signal up-regulation, electroencephalography (EEG)-NF, targeting down-regulation of fronto-central beta activity, or waitlist (WL). The few studies assessing predictors for clinical outcomes after NF and evidenced predictors for psychotherapy guided the selection of baseline eating disorder-related predictors, including objective binge-eating (OBE) frequency, eating disorder psychopathology (EDP), food cravings, and body mass index (BMI), and general psychopathology-related predictors, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and self-efficacy. These questionnaire-based or objectively assessed (BMI) predictors were regressed on outcomes OBE frequency and EDP as key features of BED at post-treatment (t1) and 6-month follow-up (t2) in preregistered generalized mixed models (https://osf.io/4aktp). RESULTS Higher EDP, food cravings, and BMI predicted worse outcomes across all groups at t1 and t2. General psychopathology-related predictors did not predict outcomes at t1 and t2. Explorative analyses indicated that lower OBE frequency and higher self-efficacy predicted lower OBE frequency, and lower EDP predicted lower EDP after the waiting period in WL. DISCUSSION Consistent with findings for psychotherapy, higher eating disorder-related predictors were associated with higher EDP and OBE frequency. The specificity of psychopathological predictors for NF treatment success warrants further examination. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE This exploratory study firstly assessed eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder and overweight. Findings showed an association between higher eating disorder symptoms and worse neurofeedback outcomes, indicating special needs to be considered in neurofeedback treatment for patients with a higher binge-eating disorder symptom burden. In general, outcomes and assignment to neurofeedback treatment may be improved upon consideration of baseline psychological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Wimmer J, Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Hilbert A. Neurofeedback strategies in binge-eating disorder as predictors of EEG-neurofeedback regulation success. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1234085. [PMID: 38021247 PMCID: PMC10645064 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1234085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Treatment options such as neurofeedback (NF) that directly target the link between aberrant brain activity patterns and dysfunctional eating behaviors in binge-eating disorder (BED) are emerging. However, virtually nothing is known about mental strategies used to modulate food-specific brain activity and the associated brain-based or subjective success of specific strategies. This study firstly investigated the use of mental strategies in response to individually appetitive food cues in adults with BED and overweight or obesity based on a randomized-controlled trial providing electroencephalography (EEG)- or real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF to BED. Methods Strategy reports written by participants were classified with qualitative content analysis. Additionally, the mental strategies employed by the N = 23 patients who received EEG-NF targeting the reduction of fronto-central high beta activity were analyzed quantitatively through their link with subjective and EEG-NF regulation success. Results The following eight categories, ordered by frequency in descending order, were found: "Behavior," "Imagination," "Emotion," "Distraction," "Thought," "Concentration," "Self-Talk" and "No Strategy." Linear mixed models revealed "Imagination," "Behavior," and "Thought" strategies as positive predictors of EEG-NF regulation success (defined as high beta activity during regulation beneath the baseline), and "Concentration" as a negative predictor of subjective (i.e., self-reported) NF regulation success. Discussion In conclusion, our study offers a classification system that may be used in future studies assessing strategy use for regulating food-related responses in patients with BED and associated overweight/obesity, providing valuable information on potential benefits of specific strategies and transferability to situations outside the NF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jytte Wimmer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Rebelos E, Malloggi E, Parenti M, Dardano A, Tura A, Daniele G. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: A Free-Living Neuroscience Tool to Better Understand Diabetes and Obesity. Metabolites 2023; 13:814. [PMID: 37512521 PMCID: PMC10384622 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13070814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is the least accessible of all organs and attempts to study it in vivo rely predominantly on neuroimaging. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows for the study of cortical neural activity in a non-invasive manner that may resemble free-living conditions. Moreover, compared to other neuroimaging tools, fNIRS is less expensive, it does not require the use of ionizing radiation, and can be applied to all study populations (patients suffering from claustrophobia, or neonates). In this narrative review, we provide an overview of the available research performed using fNIRS in patients with diabetes and obesity. The few studies conducted to date have presented controversial results regarding patients with diabetes, some reporting a greater hemodynamic response and others reporting a reduced hemodynamic response compared to the controls, with an unclear distinction between types 1 and 2. Subjects with obesity or a binge eating disorder have reduced prefrontal activation in response to inhibitory food or non-food stimuli; however, following an intervention, such as cognitive treatment, prefrontal activation is restored. Moreover, we discuss the potential of future applications of fNIRS for a better understanding of cortical neural activity in the context of metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Rebelos
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Malloggi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Parenti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Angela Dardano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- CISUP, Center for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Tura
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Daniele
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- CISUP, Center for Instrument Sharing, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Chae Y, Lee IS. Central Regulation of Eating Behaviors in Humans: Evidence from Functional Neuroimaging Studies. Nutrients 2023; 15:3010. [PMID: 37447336 PMCID: PMC10347214 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroimaging has great potential to provide insight into the neural response to food stimuli. Remarkable advances have been made in understanding the neural activity underlying food perception, not only in normal eating but also in obesity, eating disorders, and disorders of gut-brain interaction in recent decades. In addition to the abnormal brain function in patients with eating disorders compared to healthy controls, new therapies, such as neurofeedback and neurostimulation techniques, have been developed that target the malfunctioning brain regions in patients with eating disorders based on the results of neuroimaging studies. In this review, we present an overview of early and more recent research on the central processing and regulation of eating behavior in healthy and patient populations. In order to better understand the relationship between the gut and the brain as well as the neural mechanisms underlying abnormal ingestive behaviors, we also provide suggestions for future directions to enhance our current methods used in food-related neuroimaging studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Younbyoung Chae
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seon Lee
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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Hilbert A. Psychological and Medical Treatments for Binge-Eating Disorder: A Research Update. Physiol Behav 2023:114267. [PMID: 37302642 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Binge-eating disorder (BED), characterized by recurrent binge eating in the absence of regular weight-compensatory behaviors, is the most common eating disorder, associated with pronounced mental and physical sequelae. An increasing body of research documents the efficacy of diverse approaches to the treatment of this disorder, summarized in meta-analyses. This research update narratively reviewed randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) on the psychological and medical treatment of BED published between January 2018 to November 2022, identified through a systematic literature search. A total of 16 new RCTs and 3 studies on previous RCTs providing efficacy- and safety-related data were included. Regarding psychotherapy, confirmatory evidence supported the use of integrative-cognitive therapy and, with lower effects, brief emotion regulation skills training for binge eating and associated psychopathology. Behavioral weight loss treatment was revealed to be efficacious for binge eating, weight loss, and psychopathology, but its combination with naltrexone-bupropion did not augment efficacy. New treatment approaches were explored, including e-mental-health and brain-directed treatments, mostly targeting emotion and self-regulation. Additionally, different therapeutic approaches were evaluated in complex stepped-care models. In light of these advances, future research is necessary to further optimize effects of evidence-based treatments for BED, through improvement of existing or development of new treatments, based on mechanistic and/or interventional research, and/or tailoring treatments to personal characteristics in a precision medicine approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center AdiposityDiseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany.
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Berner LA, Winter SR, Ayaz H, Shewokis PA, Izzetoglu M, Marsh R, Nasser JA, Matteucci AJ, Lowe MR. Altered prefrontal activation during the inhibition of eating responses in women with bulimia nervosa. Psychol Med 2023; 53:3580-3590. [PMID: 35209961 PMCID: PMC9476324 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sense of 'loss of control' (LOC), or a feeling of being unable to stop eating or control what or how much one is eating, is the most salient aspect of binge eating. However, the neural alterations that may contribute to this experience and eating behavior remain poorly understood. METHODS We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure activation in the prefrontal cortices of 23 women with bulimia nervosa (BN) and 23 healthy controls (HC) during two tasks: a novel go/no-go task requiring inhibition of eating responses, and a standard go/no-go task requiring inhibition of button-pressing responses. RESULTS Women with BN made more commission errors on both tasks. BN subgroups with the most severe LOC eating (n = 12) and those who felt most strongly that they binge ate during the task (n = 12) showed abnormally reduced bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) activation associated with eating-response inhibition. In the entire BN sample, lower eating-task activation in right vlPFC was related to more frequent and severe LOC eating, but no group differences in activation were detected on either task when this full sample was compared with HC. BN severity was unrelated to standard-task activation. CONCLUSIONS Results provide initial evidence that diminished PFC activation may directly contribute to more severe eating-specific control deficits in BN. Our findings support vmPFC and vlPFC dysfunction as promising treatment targets, and indicate that eating-specific tasks and fNIRS may be useful tools for identifying neural mechanisms underlying dysregulated eating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Berner
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Hasan Ayaz
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | | | - Rachel Marsh
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Alyssa J. Matteucci
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Max SM, Schag K, Giel KE, Plewnia C. Behavioural biases in the interaction with food objects in virtual reality and its clinical implication for binge eating disorder. Eat Weight Disord 2023; 28:46. [PMID: 37225914 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01571-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive processes play a central role in the development, maintenance and remission in mental disorders, like in Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Insights into cognitive mechanisms reflected by embodied interaction with food and its connections to clinically relevant psychopathology offer new possibilities for translational diagnostics and interventions. We longitudinally investigated the manual interaction with food in a virtual reality (VR) in 31 patients with BED. Patients were assessed at baseline before participating in a randomized-controlled trial (RCT) investigating a computer-based inhibitory control training programme enhanced by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and at a 6-week follow-up. At both assessments, an experimental VR paradigm was conducted and patients were characterized concerning eating disorder psychopathology, eating behaviour, general impulsivity and food craving. In the experimental task, one of two simultaneously presented objects (food vs. office tools) had to be collected. Food was recognized faster than office tools and subsequent approach behaviour was initiated faster, whereas thereafter, food was collected slower than office tools. Exploratory, we could not find a modulatory effect of applied tDCS on the interaction with food. No relationship between behavioural biases and sample characterizations could be detected. Two different stages in the manual interaction with food were found: a faster first stage that comprises recognition and movement initiation and a slower second stage that comprises controlled handling and may reflect aversive motivational processes. As the behavioural patterns do not change with an ameliorated BED-psychopathology at the second assessment, the task seems insensitive in detecting translational interconnections between behavioural biases and BED-characteristics.Level of evidence: Level I, experimental study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian M Max
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Neurophysiology & Interventional Neuropsychiatry, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schag
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstraße 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre of Excellence for Eating Disorders Tübingen (KOMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin E Giel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstraße 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Centre of Excellence for Eating Disorders Tübingen (KOMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Plewnia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Tübingen Center for Mental Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Neurophysiology & Interventional Neuropsychiatry, Calwerstraße 14, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Parker MN, Burton Murray H, Piers AD, Muratore A, Lowe MR, Manasse SM, Ayaz H, Juarascio AS. Prefrontal cortex activation by binge-eating status in individuals with obesity while attempting to reappraise responses to food using functional near infrared spectroscopy. Eat Weight Disord 2023; 28:34. [PMID: 36995567 PMCID: PMC10063505 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-023-01558-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Difficulty reappraising drives to consume palatable foods may promote poorer inhibition and binge eating (BE) in adults with obesity, but neural underpinnings of food-related reappraisal are underexamined. METHODS To examine neural correlates of food-related reappraisal, adults with obesity with and without BE wore a portable neuroimaging tool, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS measured activity in the prefrontal cortex while participants watched videos of food and attempt to "resist" the food stimuli (i.e., "consider the negative consequences of eating the food"). RESULTS Participants (N = 32, 62.5% female; BMI 38.6 [Formula: see text] 7.1; 43.5 [Formula: see text] 13.4 y) had a BMI > 30 kg/m2. Eighteen adults (67.0% female; BMI 38.2 [Formula: see text] 7.6) reported BE (≥ 12 BE-episodes in preceding 3 months). The control group comprised 14 adults who denied BE (64.0% female; BMI 39.2 [Formula: see text] 6.6). Among the entire sample, mixed models showed significant, small hyperactivation during crave and resist compared to watch (relax) condition bilaterally in the medial superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral areas, and middle frontal gyrus (optodes 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12) in the total sample. No statistically significant differences in neural activation were observed between the BE and control group. Moreover, there were no significant group by condition interactions on neural activation. CONCLUSION Among adults with obesity, BE status was not linked to differential activation in inhibitory prefrontal cortex areas during a food-related reappraisal task. Future research is needed with larger samples, adults without obesity, and inhibition paradigms with both behavioral and cognitive components. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION # NCT03113669, date April 13, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan N Parker
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The WELL Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD, USA
- Section on Growth and Obesity, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Helen Burton Murray
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The WELL Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Amani D Piers
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Michael R Lowe
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Hasan Ayaz
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Drexel Solutions Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adrienne S Juarascio
- Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The WELL Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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13
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de Sousa Fernandes MS, Aidar FJ, da Silva Pedroza AA, de Andrade Silva SC, Santos GCJ, dos Santos Henrique R, Clemente FM, Silva AF, de Souza RF, Ferreira DJ, Badicu G, Lagranha C, Nobari H. Effects of aerobic exercise training in oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis markers on prefrontal cortex in obese mice. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2022; 14:213. [PMID: 36527152 PMCID: PMC9758933 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-022-00607-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate the effects of 8 weeks of Aerobic Physical Training (AET) on the mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative balance in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) of leptin deficiency-induced obese mice (ob/ob mice). METHODS Then, the mice were submitted to an 8-week protocol of aerobic physical training (AET) at moderate intensity (60% of the maximum running speed). In the oxidative stress, we analyzed Malonaldehyde (MDA) and Carbonyls, the enzymatic activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione S Transferase (GST), non-enzymatic antioxidant system: reduced glutathione (GSH), and Total thiols. Additionally, we evaluated the gene expression of PGC-1α SIRT-1, and ATP5A related to mitochondrial biogenesis and function. RESULTS In our study, we did not observe a significant difference in MDA (p = 0.2855), Carbonyl's (p = 0.2246), SOD (p = 0.1595), and CAT (p = 0.6882) activity. However, the activity of GST (p = 0.04), the levels of GSH (p = 0.001), and Thiols (p = 0.02) were increased after 8 weeks of AET. Additionally, there were high levels of PGC-1α (p = 0.01), SIRT-1 (p = 0.009), and ATP5A (p = 0.01) gene expression after AET in comparison with the sedentary group. CONCLUSIONS AET for eight weeks can improve antioxidant defense and increase the expression of PGC-1α, SIRT-1, and ATP5A in PFC of ob/ob mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Santos de Sousa Fernandes
- Graduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Felipe J. Aidar
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe Brazil
| | - Anderson Apolônio da Silva Pedroza
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Exercise Biochemistry, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE Brazil
| | - Severina Cássia de Andrade Silva
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Exercise Biochemistry, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE Brazil
| | | | | | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Instituto de Telecomunicações, Delegação da Covilhã, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal
| | - Ana Filipa Silva
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal
| | | | - Diorginis José Ferreira
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, Pernambuco Brazil
| | - Georgian Badicu
- Department of Physical Education and Special Motricity, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
| | - Claudia Lagranha
- Graduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco Brazil
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Exercise Biochemistry, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE Brazil
| | - Hadi Nobari
- Department of Motor Performance, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068 Brasov, Romania
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, 56199-11367 Iran
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
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Schuller J, Koch M. Investigating a role of orexin and ‘cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript’ in the nucleus accumbens shell in binge eating of male rats and the relationship with impulsivity. Physiol Behav 2022; 257:114000. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Forecasting Unplanned Purchase Behavior under Buy-One Get-One-Free Promotions Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:1034983. [PMID: 36387766 PMCID: PMC9663223 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1034983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
It is very important for consumers to recognize their wrong shopping habits such as unplanned purchase behavior (UPB). The traditional methods used for measuring the UPB in qualitative and quantitative studies have some drawbacks because of human perception and memory. We proposed a UPB identification methodology applied with the brain-computer interface technique using a support vector machine (SVM) along with a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Hemodynamic signals and behavioral data were collected from 33 subjects by performing Task 1 which included the Buy-One-Get-One-Free (BOGOF) and Task 2 which excluded the BOGOF condition. The acquired data were calculated with 6 time-domain features and then classified them using SVM with 10-cross validations. Thereafter, we evaluated whether the results were reliable using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). As a result, we achieved average accuracy greater than 94%, which is reliable because of the AUC values above 0.97. We found that the UPB brain activity was more relevant to Task 1 with the BOGOF condition than with Task 2 in the prefrontal cortex. UPBs were sufficiently derived from self-reported measurement, indicating that the subjects perceived increased impulsivity in the BOGOF condition. Therefore, this study improves the detection and understanding of UPB as a path for a computer-aided detection perspective for rating the severity of UPBs.
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Bak S, Jeong Y, Yeu M, Jeong J. Brain-computer interface to predict impulse buying behavior using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18024. [PMID: 36289356 PMCID: PMC9606125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22653-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
As the rate of vaccination against COVID-19 is increasing, demand for overseas travel is also increasing. Despite people's preference for duty-free shopping, previous studies reported that duty-free shopping increases impulse buying behavior. There are also self-reported tools to measure their impulse buying behavior, but it has the disadvantage of relying on the human memory and perception. Therefore, we propose a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)-based brain signal processing methodology to supplement these limitations and to reduce ambiguity and conjecture of data. To achieve this goal, we focused on the brain's prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity, which supervises human decision-making and is closely related to impulse buying behavior. The PFC activation is observed by recording signals using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) while inducing impulse buying behavior in virtual computing environments. We found that impulse buying behaviors were not only higher in online duty-free shops than in online regular stores, but the fNIRS signals were also different on the two sites. We also achieved an average accuracy of 93.78% in detecting impulse buying patterns using a support vector machine. These results were identical to the people's self-reported responses. This study provides evidence as a potential biomarker for detecting impulse buying behavior with fNIRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- SuJin Bak
- grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841 South Korea
| | - Yunjoo Jeong
- grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Center for Research in Marketing in School of Business at Korea University, Seoul, 02841 South Korea
| | - Minsun Yeu
- grid.267370.70000 0004 0533 4667College of Business Administration, University of Ulsan, Ulsan, 44610 South Korea
| | - Jichai Jeong
- grid.222754.40000 0001 0840 2678Department of Brain and Cognitive Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841 South Korea
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Li Y, Chen M, Zhang R, Xianchun L. Experiencing Happiness Together Facilitates Dyadic Coordination through the Enhanced Interpersonal Neural Synchronization. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2021; 17:447-460. [PMID: 34669963 PMCID: PMC9071490 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Experiencing positive emotions together facilitates interpersonal understanding and promotes subsequent social interaction among individuals. However, the neural underpinnings of such emotional-social effect remain to be discovered. Current study employed the fNIRS-based hyperscanning to investigate the above mentioned relationship. After participants in dyad watching movie clips with happily or neutral emotion, they were asked to perform the interpersonal cooperative task, with their neural activation of prefrontal cortex (PFC) being recorded simultaneously via functional near infrared spectroscopy. Results suggested that compared with the neutral movie watching together, a higher interpersonal neural synchronization (INS) in left inferior frontal gyrus during participant dyads watching happiness movie together. Subsequently, dyads in happiness showed more effective coordination interaction during performed the interpersonal cooperation task compared to those in the neutral condition, and such facilitated effect was associated with increased cooperation-related INS at left middle frontal cortex. A mediation analysis showed that the coordination interaction fully mediated the relationship between the emotion-induced INS during the happiness movie-viewing and the cooperation-related INS in interpersonal cooperation. Taken together, our findings suggest that the faciliatory effect experiencing happiness together has on interpersonal cooperation can be reliably reflected by the INS magnitude at the brain level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangzhuo Li
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Mei Chen
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Ruqian Zhang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Li Xianchun
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China
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Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: A Potential Treatment for Obesity in Patients with Schizophrenia. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11060086. [PMID: 34208079 PMCID: PMC8230713 DOI: 10.3390/bs11060086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is highly prevalent in patients with schizophrenia and, in association with metabolic syndrome, contributes to premature deaths of patients due to cardiovascular disease complications. Moreover, pharmacologic, and behavioral interventions have not stemmed the tide of obesity in schizophrenia. Therefore, novel effective interventions are urgently needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown efficacy for inducing weight loss in obese non-psychiatric samples but this promising intervention has not been evaluated as a weight loss intervention in patients with schizophrenia. In this narrative review, we describe three brain mechanisms (hypothalamic inflammation, dysregulated mesocorticolimbic reward system, and impaired prefrontal cortex function) implicated in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of obesity and emphasize how the three mechanisms have also been implicated in the neurobiology of schizophrenia. We then argue that, based on the three overlapping brain mechanisms in obesity and schizophrenia, rTMS would be effective as a weight loss intervention in patients with schizophrenia and comorbid obesity. We end this review by describing how deep TMS, relative to conventional TMS, could potentially result in larger effect size for weight loss. While this review is mainly conceptual and based on an extrapolation of findings from non-schizophrenia samples, our aim is to stimulate research in the use of rTMS for weight loss in patients with schizophrenia.
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Veit R, Schag K, Schopf E, Borutta M, Kreutzer J, Ehlis AC, Zipfel S, Giel KE, Preissl H, Kullmann S. Diminished prefrontal cortex activation in patients with binge eating disorder associates with trait impulsivity and improves after impulsivity-focused treatment based on a randomized controlled IMPULS trial. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2021; 30:102679. [PMID: 34215149 PMCID: PMC8102655 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Persons with binge eating disorder show increased impulsivity. We investigated cognitive control to food cues using fNIRS. Compared to healthy controls, binge eaters show weaker activation of the prefrontal cortex. After behavioral therapy, binge eaters increase prefrontal cortex activation.
Background Behavioral and cognitive control are vital for healthy eating behavior. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) suffer under recurrent binge eating episodes accompanied by subjective loss of control that results, among other factors, from increased impulsivity. Methods In the current study, we investigated the frontal network using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a food specific go/nogo task to assess response inhibition in 24 patients with BED (BMI range 22.6–59.7 kg/m2) compared to 12 healthy controls (HC) (BMI range 20.9–27 kg/m2). Patients with BED were invited to undergo fNIRS measurements before an impulsivity-focused cognitive behavioral group treatment, directly after this treatment and 3 months afterwards. As this was a planned subgroup analysis of the randomized controlled IMPULS trial, patients with BED were randomized either to the treatment group (n = 14) or to a control group (n = 10). The treatment group received 8 weekly sessions of the IMPULS treatment. Results We found a significant response inhibition effect (nogo minus go), in terms of an increased oxygenated hemoglobin response in the bilateral prefrontal cortex in both groups. The greatest response was observed when participants were instructed to go for healthy and withhold their response to unhealthy high caloric food cues. The healthy nogo condition failed to show a significant prefrontal inhibitory response, which was probably related to the task design, as the condition was considered more demanding. BED patients, especially those with higher trait impulsivity, showed a weaker activation of the prefrontal cortex during response inhibition, predominantly in the right hemisphere. Interestingly, three months after the treatment, patients of the treatment group increased their right prefrontal cortex activity during response inhibition. Likewise, increased prefrontal cortex activation correlated with decreased trait impulsivity after treatment. Conclusions Our results suggest that patients with BED have limited resources to activate the prefrontal cortex when asked to inhibit a reaction onto food-specific stimuli. However, this effect could be partly driven by differences in BMI between the HC and BED group. Cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting impulsive eating behavior may improve prefrontal cortex recruitment during response inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Veit
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Schag
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany; Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders Tübingen (COMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Eric Schopf
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Maike Borutta
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jann Kreutzer
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ann-Christine Ehlis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany; Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders Tübingen (COMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Katrin E Giel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany; Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders Tübingen (COMET), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hubert Preissl
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Diabetes Center at Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Neuherberg, Germany; Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kullmann
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
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