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Brain dopamine and serotonin transporter binding are associated with visual attention bias for food in lean men

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2016

K. E. Koopman
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A. Roefs
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
D. C. E. Elbers
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
E. Fliers
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
J. Booij
Affiliation:
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M. J. Serlie
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
S. E. la Fleur*
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr S. E. la Fleur, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdeef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (Email: [email protected])

Abstract

Background

In rodents, the striatal dopamine (DA) system and the (hypo)thalamic serotonin (5-HT) system are involved in the regulation of feeding behavior. In lean humans, little is known about the relationship between these brain neurotransmitter systems and feeding. We studied the relationship between striatal DA transporters (DAT) and diencephalic 5-HT transporters (SERT), behavioral tasks and questionnaires, and food intake.

Method

We measured striatal DAT and diencephalic SERT binding with [123I]FP-CIT SPECT in 36 lean male subjects. Visual attention bias for food (detection speed and distraction time) and degree of impulsivity were measured using response-latency-based computer tasks. Craving and emotional eating were assessed with questionnaires and ratings of hunger by means of VAS scores. Food intake was assessed through a self-reported online diet journal.

Results

Striatal DAT and diencephalic SERT binding negatively correlated with food detection speed (p = 0.008, r = −0.50 and p = 0.002, r = −0.57, respectively), but not with food distraction time, ratings of hunger, craving or impulsivity. Striatal DAT and diencephalic SERT binding did not correlate with free choice food intake, whereas food detection speed positively correlated with total caloric intake (p = 0.001, r = 0.60), protein intake (p = 0.01, r = 0.44), carbohydrate intake (p = 0.03, r = 0.39) and fat intake (p = 0.06, r = 0.35).

Conclusions

These results indicate a role for the central 5-HT and DA system in the regulation of visual attention bias for food, which contributes to the motivation to eat, in non-obese, healthy humans. In addition, this study confirms that food detection speed, measured with the latency-based computer task, positively correlates with total food and macronutrient intake.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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