Blunted striatal responses to favorite-food cues in smokers. (1st January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jastreboff, Ania M.; Sinha, Rajita; Lacadie, Cheryl M.; Balodis, Iris M.; Sherwin, Robert; Potenza, Marc N.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 146(2015)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2015-01-01
• Subjects: Smoking -- BMI -- fMRI -- Food cues; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Relatively diminished activation of the striatum, insula, and thalamus was observed in smokers versus non-smokers during exposure to favorite-food cues. The findings suggest a biological mechanism for diminished body mass indices associated with active tobacco smoking. Abstract: Background: Although tobacco-smoking is associated with relatively leaner body mass and smoking cessation with weight gain, the brain mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. Smokers compared to non-smokers have shown diminished neural responses to non-tobacco rewarding stimuli (e.g., monetary rewards), but brain responses to favorite-food cues have not been investigated relative to smoking status. We hypothesized that smokers would exhibit diminished neural responses compared to non-smokers in response to favorite-food cues in motivation-reward and emotion-regulating regions of the brain. Methods: Twenty-three smokers and 23 non-smokers matched based on body mass index (BMI), age, and gender listened to personalized favorite-food cue, stress, and neutral-relaxing audiotapes during fMRI. Results: During favorite-food cue exposure, smokers versus non-smokers exhibited diminished activations in the caudate, putamen, insula, and thalamus. Neural responses during stress and neutral-relaxing conditions were similar across groups. Subjective food-craving ratings were similar across groups. Conclusions: The relatively diminished neural responses to favorite-food cues in smokers may contribute to lower BMI.