[Food reward circuitry in obese patients]

Besides hormonal regulation of appetite and satiety, food intake depends on the activity of certain brain systems. Functional imaging studies are useful to better understand this central regulation of energy intake. Obesity is associated with increased brain responses to food stimuli at the level of the reward system. More specifically, studies have shown in obese individuals an increased motivation to obtain food reward as well as a decrease in pleasure during its actual consumption. Food consumption may be, in some instances, comparable to addiction, and be reflected by irresistible cravings for certain foods.