Neuroanatomy of the vmPFC and dlPFC Predicts Individual Differences in Cognitive Regulation During Dietary Self-Control Across Regulation Strategies

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3402-17.2018
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04T16:15:30Z
• Authors: Liane Schmidt; Anita Tusche; Nicolas Manoharan; Cendri Hutcherson; Todd Hare; Hilke Plassmann
• Keywords: Dieting; Ventromedial prefrontal cortex; Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; Food Choice

Making healthy food choices is challenging for many people. Individuals differ greatly in their ability to follow health goals the face of temptation, but it unclear what underlies such differences. Using voxel-based morphometry, we investigated humans (i.e., men and women) links between structural variation gray matter volume individuals9 level success shifting toward healthier choices. We combined MRI choice data into a joint dataset by pooling across three independent studies that used task prompting participants explicitly focus on healthiness items before making Within this dataset, found individual differences ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) dorsolateral (dlPFC) predicted regulatory success. extended confirmed these initial findings predicting out sample tasks second requiring apply different regulation strategy entailed distancing from cravings unhealthy, appetitive foods. Our suggest neuroanatomical markers vmPFC dlPFC generalized forms dietary strategies participant groups. They provide novel evidence neuroanatomy two key regions valuation its control, dlPFC, predict an individual9s exert control <b>SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT</b> Dieting involves regulating eat foods fewer unhealthy People dramatically achieve or maintain regulation, why. Here, show individuals with more are better at exercising self-control. This relationship was observed four examining self-regulation, suggesting may represent general marker self-control abilities. These results identify candidate dieting failure, potential targets therapies aimed preventing treating obesity related eating disorders.