title: Altered dynamics between neural systems sub-serving decisions for unhealthy food.
abstract: Using BOLD functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, we examined the relationships between activities in the neural systems elicited by the decision stage of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), and food choices of either vegetables or snacks high in fat and sugar. Twenty-three healthy normal weight adolescents and young adults, ranging in age from 14 to 21, were studied. Neural systems implicated in decision-making and inhibitory control were engaged by having participants perform the IGT during fMRI scanning. The Youth/Adolescent Questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, was used to obtain daily food choices. Higher consumption of vegetables correlated with higher activity in prefrontal cortical regions, namely the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and lower activity in sub-cortical regions, namely the right insular cortex. In contrast, higher consumption of fatty and sugary snacks correlated with lower activity in the prefrontal regions, combined with higher activity in the sub-cortical, insular cortex. These results provide preliminary support for our hypotheses that unhealthy food choices in real life are reflected by neuronal changes in key neural systems involved in habits, decision-making and self-control processes. These findings have implications for the creation of decision-making based intervention strategies that promote healthier eating.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University Chongqing, China ; Department of Psychology and Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Qinghua
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: National Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Gui
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Education and Counselling, The Hong Kong Institute of Education Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Savio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.affiliation: School of Community and Global Health, Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bechara
keywords: Eating; Iowa Gambling Task (IGT); Self-Control; food choice; insula