Relationships between feeding-related cognitive function and activity of reward system

本研究旨在阐明与进食行为相关的感觉信息在适口性认知中的作用，以及在适口性认知功能中至关重要的皮质区域。此外，还研究了适口性认知对摄食行为的影响。使用近红外光谱（NIRS）记录健康受试者在执行各种喂食相关任务时大脑皮层各区域的活动。结果表明，右侧前额叶背侧皮层在检测各种与喂食相关的感官输入中起着至关重要的作用，当被试识别出满意的味道时，其活动可能会增加。此外，鲜味作为咸味食品添加剂，不仅可以作为风味增强剂，还可以作为吞咽起始的增强剂。

The present study was conducted to clarify the role of sensory information related to feeding behavior on the cognition of palatability as well as crucial cortical area for such a cognitive function. Also, effects of cognition of palatability on feeding behaviors were also studied. Activity of various cortical areas was recorded in the healthy subjects using near infrared spectroscopy(NIRS), when the subjects performed various feeding-related tasks. The results revealed that the right dorsal prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role for the detection of various feeding-related sensory inputs, and its activity may be increased when the subjects recognize favorable tastes. Also using umami taste as a food additive with salty taste may serve not only as a flavor enhancer but also as an enhancer of swallow initiation.