title: Repetitive electric brain stimulation reduces food intake in humans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays an important role in appetite and food intake regulation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Because previous data revealed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the DLPFC reduces food cravings, we hypothesized that repetitive electric stimulation of the right DLPFC would lower food intake behavior in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a single-blind, code-based, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, randomized crossover experiment, 14 healthy young men with body mass index (in kg/m(2)) from 20 to 25 were examined during 8 d of daily tDCS or a sham stimulation. After tDCS or sham stimulation on the first and the last day of both experimental conditions, participants consumed food ad libitum from a standardized test buffet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One week of daily anodal tDCS reduced overall caloric intake by 14% in comparison with sham stimulation. Moreover, repetitive tDCS diminished self-reported appetite scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study implies that the application of anodal direct currents to the right DLPFC represents a promising option for reducing both caloric intake and appetite in humans. This trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (www.germanctr.de) as DRKS00005811.
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jauch-Chara
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kistenmacher
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Marianka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schweiger
authors.affiliation: From the Division of Psychoneurobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Kerstin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Oltmanns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult