Wang, G. J., Volkow, N. D., Telang, F., Jayne, M., Ma, J., Rao, M., Zhu, W., Wong, C. T., Pappas, N. R., Geliebter, A., & Fowler, J. S. (2004). Exposure to appetitive food stimuli markedly activates the human brain. NeuroImage, 21(4), 1790–1797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.11.026 From the research article’s abstract: “Objective: The increased incidence of obesity most likely reflects changes in the environment that had made food more available and palatable. Here we assess the response of the human brain to the presentation of appetitive food stimuli during food presentation using PET and FDG. Method: Metabolic changes in response to food presentation were done in 12 healthy normal body weight subjects who were food deprived before the study. Results: Food presentation significantly increased metabolism in the whole brain (24%, P < 0.01) and these changes were largest in superior temporal, anterior insula, and orbitofrontal cortices. The increases in the right orbitofrontal cortex were the ones that correlated significantly with the increases in self-reports of hunger and desire for food. Discussion: The marked increase in brain metabolism by the presentation of food provides evidence of the high sensitivity of the human brain to food stimuli. This high sensitivity coupled with the ubiquitousness of food stimuli in the environment is likely to contribute to the epidemic of obesity.
Similarity between obesity and drug addiction as assessed by neurofunctional imaging: a concept review
Wang, G. J., Volkow, N. D., Thanos, P. K., & Fowler, J. S. (2004). Similarity between obesity and drug addiction as assessed by neurofunctional imaging: a concept review. Journal of addictive diseases, 23(3), 39-53. https://doi.org/10.1300/J069v23n03 04 Review – check for add sources JAddDisease1 .pdf
Motivational/solution-focused intervention improves HbA1c in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: a pilot study
Viner, R. M., Christie, D., Taylor, V., & Hey, S. (2003). Motivational/solution-focused intervention improves HbA1c in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes: a pilot study. Diabetic Medicine, 20(9), 739-742. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1464-5491.2003.00995.x From the research article’s abstract: “Aims We piloted a motivational and solution-focused therapy group intervention to improve glycaemic control in young people 11–17 years with poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes (mean annual HbA1c > 8.5%). Methods Seventy-seven subjects agreed to be assessed for a pilot non-randomized controlled trial. Subjects completed psychological questionnaires and were given feedback designed to encourage entry into the intervention. Twenty-one young people opted to enter the intervention groups (cases). Two intervention groups consisting of five to six subjects were conducted in each age band 10–13 years and 14–17 years. Twenty of those who did not opt to join the groups were randomly selected to act as controls. Cases and controls were well matched for age, HbA1c, duration of diabetes and socio-economic status. Results The intervention produced a significant improvement of 1.5% in HbA1c in cases (P < 0.05) at 4–6 months post intervention compared with no change in controls. This improvement was partly maintained at 7–12 months post intervention.
Recognition of alcohol and substance abuse
Mersy, D. J. (2003). Recognition of alcohol and substance abuse. American Family Physician, 67(7), 1529–1532. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12722853/ From the research article’s abstract: “Ten percent of the population abuses drugs or alcohol, and 20 percent of patients seen by family physicians have substance-abuse problems, excluding tobacco use. These patients can be identified by relying on regular screening or a high index of suspicion based on “red flags” that can be noted in various clinical situations. The modified CAGE questionnaire is an excellent screening instrument, but several alternatives are available. The best screening test is one that the physician will routinely use well. Laboratory indicators such as gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume, and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin are nonspecific but can add to the evidence of alcohol abuse. If problem alcohol use is diagnosed, even brief physician advice can be helpful. If the problem has progressed to addiction, referral to an addiction specialist or treatment center is recommended.
Brain dopamine and obesity
Wang, G. J., Volkow, N. D., Logan, J., Pappas, N. R., Wong, C. T., Zhu, W., Netusil, N., & Fowler, J. S. (2001). Brain dopamine and obesity. Lancet (London, England), 357(9253), 354–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(00)03643-6 From the research article’s abstract: “Background The cerebral mechanisms underlying the behaviours that lead to pathological overeating and obesity are poorly understood. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter that modulates rewarding properties of food, is likely to be involved. To test the hypothesis that obese individuals have abnormalities in brain dopamine activity we measured the availability of dopamine D2 receptors in brain. Methods Brain dopamine D2 receptor availability was measured with positron emission tomography (PET) and [C-11]raclopride (a radioligand for the dopamine D2 receptor). Bmax/Kd (ratio of the distribution volumes in striatum to that in cerebellum minus 1) was used as a measure of dopamine D2 receptor availability. Brain glucose metabolism was also assessed with 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG). Findings Striatal dopamine D2 receptor availability was significantly lower in the ten obese individuals