Neuroimaging of Goal-Directed Behavior in Midlife Women

Abstract

BackgroundMotivational interventions to improve health behaviors based on conventional cognitive and behavioral theories have been extensively studied; however, advances in neuroimaging technology make it possible to assess the neurophysiological basis of health behaviors, such as physical activity. The goals of this approach are to support new interventions to achieve optimal outcomes.ObjectivesThis study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess differences in brain responses in healthy weight to obese midlife women during a goal-directed decision task.MethodsThirty nondiabetic, midlife (age 47–55 years) women with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 40 kg/m2 were recruited. A descriptive, correlational design was used to assess the relationship between brain activations and weight status. Participants underwent a goal-directed behavior task in the fMRI scanner consisting of a learning and implementation phase. The task was designed to assess both goal-directed and habitual behaviors. One participant was omitted from the analysis because of excessive motion (>4 mm), and six were omitted because of fewer than 50% correct responses on the exit survey. Four participants developed claustrophobia in the scanner and were disqualified from further participation. The remaining 19 participants were included in the final analysis.ResultsBrain responses while participants learned goal-directed behavior showed a positive correlation with BMI in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and a negative correlation with BMI in the insula. During the implementation of goal-directed behavior, brain responses in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) negatively correlated with BMI.DiscussionThese results indicate that overweight women activate regions associated with cognitive control to a greater degree than healthy weight women during goal-directed learning. The brain regions activated (dmPFC, dlPFC, insula) are associated with cognitive control and self-regulation. On the other hand, healthy weight women activate regions associated with emotion processing, planning, and self-regulation (lateral orbitofrontal cortex, anterior insula) to a greater degree than overweight women during goal-directed learning and implementation of goal-directed behavior. Overweight women activate cognitive control regions while learning associations between actions and outcomes; however, this is not the case during the implementation phase—which may make it more difficult to transform goals into action (e.g., maintain physical activity over time). Overall, these results indicate that overweight midlife women respond differently during learning and implementation of actions that lead to positive outcomes during a general test of goal-directed behavior. Future study is needed to assess the transfer of goal-directed and habitual behavior to specific aspects of energy balance to improve health outcomes.

Dopamine Depletion Reduces Food-Related Reward Activity Independent of BMI

“…Considering that dopamine availability is a major mediator of this effect, we can assume that we observed the lower BMI associations in the DOPD condition, as the depleted state simulates a hypofunctioning reward system equally in all subjects independent of BMI. Changes in cognitive-control regions in association with BMI in cognitive tasks has been reported (Bosak and Martin, 2014;Carnell et al, 2012;Hege et al, 2013;Kullmann et al, 2013) and dopamine has a crucial role in cognitive-control processes (Cools and D'Esposito, 2011). Furthermore, there is evidence of reduced executive function in obese (Smith et al, 2011;Stingl et al, 2012), mainly in decision-making, planning, and problem-solving tasks (Fitzpatrick et al, 2013).…”

Is Intimate Partner Violence a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in Women? A Review of the Preponderance of the Evidence

“…Without evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to reduce CVD risk, morbidity and mortality doubles [18]. Furthermore, the total cost and indirect cost estimates for CVD are higher than for any other major diagnostic categories and is expected to continue as total direct CVD healthcare costs are projected to triple, from $272.5 billion to $818.1 billion over the next 20 years [19]. Women exposed to IPV in all age groups are an underserved and disadvantaged group due to their focus on fulfilling basic needs, including food, clothing, shelter, and safety for their children and for themselves, rendering them disengaged in their silent, asymptomatic, and preclinical physical health decline.…”

Integrating emerging areas of nursing science into PhD programs

“…Exploration of biological mechanisms of cognitive and behavioral interventions like mindfulness or affirmation as well as identification of links among neuronal activity and behavior (http://www.nih.gov/science/brain/), hormonal activity and behaviour, and the interplay among them are being supported by advances in neuroscience and imaging (e.g., Bozak andMartin, 2014 andWetherill andTapert, 2013). New understanding of how adverse early life events and social environments impact the development of health risk and health behaviors are possible with new genetic and epigenomic models (e.g., Letourneau et al, 2014 andShonkoff et al, 2012).…”