Examining cortical systems involved in modulating calorie-seeking behavior

检查参与调节卡路里寻求行为的皮质系统

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-04606
• 负责人: Hall, Peter
• 金额: $ 2.04万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=737734
• 关键词: Examining; cortical; systems; involved; modulating

With the advent of methods to non-invasively modulate and measure brain activity in the laboratory, never before have we been in the position of unpacking the critical mechanisms underlying indulgent eating. Likewise, with the understanding of links between indulgent eating and many adverse health outcomes, never before has it been more critical to generate new knowledge in this area of enquiry, in order to ensure that our preventative efforts are informed by basic science (rather than popular opinion or convention). The overall objectives of my continuing research program are to build and further consolidate this knowledge base, bridging the gap between basic and applied research on eating, using techniques from social neuroscience, psychological science and basic behavioral science. Our studies will endeavor to test the significance of two brain regions to control different aspects of indulgent eating, either independently or working together: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. The research program that we have proposed will be among the first to systematically examine multiple putative mechanisms by which such brain regions are involved, by actually manipulating the function of these experimentally, using a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with a portable brain imaging technology (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). While doing so, we also will attempt to make a number of methodological refinements that will serve to move the whole field forward in the conduct of basic research on eating involving the brain systems of interest here. There is much need in Canada for training programs that provide training in rTMS, brain imaging, and eating research and we are well situated to do this. Although many labs make use of fMRI for brain imaging, our protocol uses a mobile version of brain imaging that may be particularly useful for studying brain processes during eating in realistic conditions that are not replicable in an fMRI scanner. Canada as a country will benefit from an improved knowledge base upon which to base disease prevention efforts, many of which have a critical focus on curbing indulgent eating. Trainees at the graduate and undergraduate level will benefit from gaining skills in brain modulation (rTMS) and portable brain imaging research protocols, and an opportunity to contribute to this rapidly growing area of scientific inquiry.

随着实验室中非侵入性调节和测量大脑活动的方法的出现，我们从未能够解开放纵饮食背后的关键机制。同样，随着对放纵饮食与许多不良健康后果之间联系的了解，在这一领域产生新知识变得前所未有的重要，以确保我们的预防工作以基础科学（而不是流行观点或惯例）为依据。我继续研究计划的总体目标是建立并进一步巩固这一知识库，利用社会神经科学、心理科学和基础行为科学的技术，弥合饮食基础研究和应用研究之间的差距。我们的研究将努力测试两个大脑区域在控制放纵饮食的不同方面的重要性，无论是独立还是共同作用：背外侧前额叶皮层和背内侧前额叶皮层。我们提出的研究计划将是第一个系统地研究涉及这些大脑区域的多种假定机制的项目之一，通过使用一种称为经颅磁刺激（rTMS）的技术与便携式大脑成像技术（功能性近红外光谱）相结合，通过实验实际操纵这些区域的功能。在此过程中，我们还将尝试进行一些方法上的改进，这将有助于推动整个领域在涉及大脑系统的饮食基础研究中向前发展。 加拿大非常需要提供 rTMS、脑成像和饮食研究培训的培训计划，而我们完全有能力做到这一点。尽管许多实验室利用功能磁共振成像进行脑成像，但我们的协议使用移动版本的脑成像，这对于研究在功能磁共振成像扫描仪无法复制的现实条件下进食时的大脑过程可能特别有用。加拿大作为一个国家将受益于疾病预防工作基础知识的改善，其中许多工作的重点是遏制暴饮暴食。研究生和本科生级别的学员将受益于获得大脑调制 (rTMS) 和便携式大脑成像研究协议方面的技能，并有机会为这一快速发展的科学探究领域做出贡献。