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Toward isolating reward changes in diet-induced obesity: A demand analysis
Seth R Batten1, Kayla B Hicks1, Linda P Dwoskin2
1Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Kentucky, United States.
Physiology & Behavior
|November 4, 2019
Summary
Diet-induced obesity alters reward sensitivity, impacting how animals value caloric and non-caloric foods. Economic demand analysis reveals changes in food reinforcement, suggesting altered reward processes contribute to obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Economics
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Hormonal and metabolic factors are established influences on obesity.
- Emerging evidence links obesity to altered reward sensitivity, similar to substance use disorders.
- Diet-induced obesity (DIO) may involve changes in reward pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how diet-induced obesity affects reward sensitivity.
- To characterize economic demand for caloric (sucrose) and non-caloric (saccharin) reinforcers post-obesity.
- To differentiate reward changes related to caloric versus non-caloric intake.
Main Methods:
- Utilized economic demand analysis to measure demand intensity (Q0) and elasticity (α).
- Assessed baseline demand for sucrose and saccharin in rats.
- Administered high-fat (HF) or low-fat (LF) diets for 8 weeks, categorizing HF rats into obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) groups.
- Reassessed reinforcer demand post-diet exposure.
Main Results:
- Baseline: Rats showed higher demand intensity and lower elasticity for sucrose vs. saccharin.
- Post-HF diet: Obesity-prone rats exhibited greater weight gain, reduced demand elasticity for both sucrose and saccharin, and increased demand intensity for saccharin.
- Changes in elasticity suggest DIO impacts food-related reward processes.
Conclusions:
- Diet-induced obesity is associated with significant alterations in reward sensitivity.
- Economic demand analysis effectively isolates specific aspects of diet-induced reward changes.
- Demand intensity for non-caloric reinforcers may not be directly tied to metabolic set points in obesity.
