Development and body mass inversely affect children’s brain activation in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during food choice

• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116016
• Publication Date: 2019-07-13T14:42:51Z
• Authors: Floor van Meer; Laura N. van der ...; Gabriele Eiben; Lauren Lissner; Maike Wolters; Stefan Rach; Manfred Herrmann; Peter Erhard; Denes Molnar; Gergely Orsi; Max A. Viergever; Roger A.H. Adan; Paul A.M. Smeets
• Keywords: Ventromedial prefrontal cortex; Salience (neuroscience); Affect; Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Food Choice

Childhood obesity is a rising problem caused in part by unhealthy food choices. Food choices are based on neural value signal encoded the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and self-control involves modulation of this dorsolateral cortex (dlPFC). We determined effects development, body mass (BMI Cole score) history correlates healthy choice children. 141 children (aged 10-17y) from Germany, Hungary Sweden were scanned with fMRI while performing task. Afterwards health taste ratings foods collected. In task asked to consider healthiness or tastiness choose naturally. Overall, made healthier when healthiness. However, who had higher weight gain per year chose less considering but not choosing Pubertal development stage correlated positively current negatively dlPFC activation accepting foods. influenced effect brain areas involved salience motivation. conclusion, earlier stages pubertal exhibited dlPFC, which has been implicated during choice. Furthermore, responses cue Thus, these findings suggest that overweight may possibly be susceptible eating interventions rely highlight aspects food.