For the first time, researchers have discovered that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain-;a key structure involved in motivation and reward appreciation has altered connectivity patterns with specific brain regions in patients with obesity.
Reviewed by Megan Craig, M.Sc.Aug 22 2023 Individuals with obesity have hyper-connectivity of the VTA with part of the ventral occipitotemporal cortex and hypo-connectivity with the left inferior frontal gyrus , according to a new study in Obesity, The Obesity Society's flagship journal.
Obesity is characterized by altered connectivity of the mesocorticolimbic and of the prefrontal cognitive control network. Most studies to date have focused on the main efferents and afferents of the VTA projections, including the hypothalamus, amygdala and ventral striatum, rather than on the VTA itself. This leaves the possibility that the observed differences do not strictly pertain to neuroadaptations occurring at the roots of the mesocorticolimbic circuit, according to experts.
Related StoriesResults revealed VTA-ventral occipitotemporal cortex connectivity was positively associated with food craving and food-related bias towards high-calorie foods, and not associated with bias towards non-food stimuli. The reverse correlation was observed for VTA-inferior frontal gyrus connectivity and food craving.
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Novel research reveals existence of altered mesocortical connectivity in obesityFor the first time, researchers have discovered that the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the brain—a key structure involved in motivation and reward appreciation—has altered connectivity patterns with specific brain regions in patients with obesity. Individuals with obesity have hyper-connectivity of the VTA with part of the ventral occipitotemporal cortex (visual processing for food images) and hypo-connectivity with the left inferior frontal gyrus (associated with cognitive control), according to a new study in Obesity.
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