NEURAL

• NEURAL EXPLANATIONS?

  • brain structures
  • biochemistry
• BRAIN STRUCTURES?

  • abnormalities in brain structure lead to overeating and obesity
  • e.g. damage to ventromedial hypothalamus
  • regulates homeostasis and energy balance
  • causes excessive eating and weight gain
  • not responsive to diet or exercise
• EVALUATION OF BRAIN STRUCTURES?

  + Hetherington and Ranson

  -only explains brain damage induced obesity in clinical population
• BIOCHEMISTRY?

  • dopamine
  • neurotransmitter responsible for reward
  • normal levels:
  • rewarding feelings of pleasure while eating
  • rewarding feelings when associated with eating cues
  • activates rewards pathway
  • feel good
  • stop eating
  • low levels:
  • lack pleasurable response
  • overeat
  • in attempt to activate response
• BIOCHEMISTRY EVALUATION?

  + Wang

  • obese had lower dopamine receptors
  • than healthy controls

  -fails to consider role of media

  • cues from media lead to disinhibited eating
  • dieting more susceptible to cues
  • Harris et al