Neuroreport. 13(9):1151-1155, JULY 2ND, 2002

PMID: 12151759

Issn Print: 0959-4965

Publication Date: July 2nd, 2002


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Enhanced resting activity of the oral somatosensory cortex in obese subjects

Gene-Jack Wang;Nora Volkow;Christoph Felder;Joanna Fowler;Alejandro Levy;Naomi Pappas;Christopher Wong;Wei Zhu;Noelwah Netusil;

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Abstract

The cerebral mechanisms underlying excess food intake in obese subjects are poorly understood. We used PET and 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose to assess differences in regional brain metabolism between obese and lean subjects at rest. Brain metabolic images were analyzed using statistical parameter maps. We found that obese subjects have significantly higher metabolic activity in the bilateral parietal somatosensory cortex in the regions where sensation to the mouth, lips and tongue are located. The enhanced activity in somatosensory regions involved with sensory processing of food in the obese subjects could make them more sensitive to the rewarding properties of food related to palatability and could be one of the variables contributing to their excess food consumption.

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