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Thesis
The impact of weight suppression on brain reward responsivity to anticipatory and consummatory food cues in bulimia nervosa
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Aug 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000879
Abstract
Objective: Calculated as the difference between one's highest past weight and current weight, weight suppression (WS) has been implicated in both the etiology and maintenance of bulimia nervosa (BN). It has been hypothesized that higher WS is associated with a reduced reward satiation to food, which could maintain the illness. Methods: In this work, we examine whether WS moderates brain reward responsivity to visual and gustatory food stimuli, using the food reward paradigm previously employed by Burger and Stice (2011). Our aims are two-fold: (1) to examine differences in anticipatory and consummatory reward found in those with BN, and (2) to explore whether WS is related to brain responsivity in reward-related regions. Results: Greater activation in the right thalamus, left fusiform gyrus, and right visual association cortex was observed in response to cues signaling milkshake delivery compared to those signaling tasteless solution delivery; while greater activation in the left occipital pole was observed in response to cues signaling tasteless solution delivery compared to milkshake delivery. Greater activation in the medial PFC, middle temporal gyrus, and left temporal pole was observed in response to milkshake receipt compared to tasteless solution receipt; while greater activation in the right fusiform was observed in response to tasteless solution receipt compared to milkshake receipt. WS was not significantly correlated with any a priori ROIs under the anticipatory condition; however, under the consummatory condition, there was a significant positive correlation between WS and the left caudate. Discussion: These findings suggest those with BN experience heightened reward activation in response to both anticipation and consumption of milkshake compared to control solution. Although further research is needed to replicate and extend WS's positive relation with activation in the caudate upon receipt of palatable foods, this finding could provide insight into a possible mechanism by which WS maintains BN.
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Details
- Title
- The impact of weight suppression on brain reward responsivity to anticipatory and consummatory food cues in bulimia nervosa
- Creators
- Simar Singh
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- ix, 40 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991015606467104721