Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Obesity, Appetite, and the Prefrontal Cortex
Marci E Gluck1, Pooja Viswanath2, Emma J Stinson2
1Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section, Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 4212 North 16th Street, Room 541, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA. gmarci@niddk.nih.gov.
Purpose Of Review:
Obesity is a chronic illness and its prevalence is growing worldwide and numerous factors play a role in the regulation of food intake. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in high-order executive function, regulation of limbic reward regions, and the inhibition of impulsive behaviors. Understanding the role of the PFC in the control of appetite regulation may contribute to a greater understanding of the etiology of obesity and could improve weight loss outcomes.
Recent Findings:
Neuroimaging studies have identified lower activation in the left dorsolateral PFC (DLPFC) in obese compared to lean individuals and others have focused on efforts to improve cognitive control in this area of the brain. The DLPFC is a critical brain area associated with appetitive control, food craving, and executive functioning, indicating a candidate target area for treatment. Further studies are needed to advance our understanding of the relationship between obesity, appetite, and the DLPFC and provide validation for the effectiveness of novel treatments in clinical populations.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Obesity
Binge Eating Disorders
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...

