Contextual cues as modifiers of cTBS effects on indulgent eating

Abstract

Background: Prior studies have found that continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting the left dlPFC results in reliable increases in consumption of calorie-dense food items. However, it is not known to what extent such effects are modified by cues in the immediate eating environment. Tempting environments (i.e., those saturated with appetitive eating cues) may lead to more reliance on cognitive control networks involving the dlPFC, thereby enhancing cTBS on eating.Objective/Hypothesis: The objective was to examine the extent to which cTBS effects on eating would be modified by contextual cues. It was hypothesized that cTBS effects on eating would be stronger in the presence of facilitating cues.Methods: Using a between-subjects factorial design, 107 adults were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: 1) active cTBS + facilitating cues, 2) sham cTBS + facilitating cues, 3) active cTBS + inhibiting cues, 4) sham cTBS + inhibiting cues. Following stimulation participants completed a flanker paradigm and a taste test during which quantity consumed was assessed surreptitiously.Results: Findings revealed a significant interaction between stimulation and cue type (F(1,102)=6.235, p=.014), such that the effects of cTBS were stronger for those in the facilitating cue condition. Conclusions:The effects of cTBS on eating are strengthened in the presence of facilitating cues.Methodologically speaking, facilitating cues may be a functional prerequisite for exploring cTBS effects on eating in the laboratory. Substantively, the findings also suggest that facilitating cues Indulgent Eating 3 in the eating environment may amplify counter-intentional food indulgence in everyday life via cognitive control failure.

Associations between prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus and child adiposity markers: mediating effects of brain structure

“…Together, these results suggest that GDM-induced changes in cortical GMV may be associated with both current and future weight status. While the functional significance of GDM exposure-associated alterations in cortical GMV remains to be established, we can reasonably speculate that functional deficits in cortical areas implicated in dietary self-regulation may lead to greater adiposity in children exposed to GDM given that 1) cortical regions, particularly the MFG, play a critical role in self-regulation, including top down regulation of craving and food consumption(53, 54); and 2) smaller cortical GMV in prefrontal areas has been shown to be associated with poorer self-regulation(55), which is tightly linked to overeating and obesity(56). Additional studies using the ABCD dataset found other neural correlates of obesity or weight gain, including lower cortical thickness (primarily in the prefrontal cortex)(57) and higher cell density in the nucleus accumbens(58).…”

Effects of prefrontal theta burst stimulation on neuronal activity and subsequent eating behavior: an interleaved rTMS and fNIRS study

“…Future studies would benefit from exploring the range of mPFC stimulation effects that could be produced in inhibitory or facilitating eating environments, and using different variants of TBS protocols (e.g., cTBS). Such studies focussing on the dlPFC have produced interesting findings (Safati and Hall, 2019), and could provide a template for further research involving the mPFC.…”

Research thematic and emerging trends of contextual cues: a bibliometrics and visualization approach

“…Moreover, recent studies have reported that in attractive environments (i.e. those full of appetizing food cues), the provision of contextual cues of convenience could cause individuals to intensify intentional food preferences in daily life through cognitive control failure, resulting in a rapid increase in the consumption of calorie-intensive food (Safati and Hall, 2019). In the long run, this will exacerbate the risks of public health and disease control.…”