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The orbitofrontal cortex, food intake and obesity
Lauren T. Seabrook1, Stephanie L. Borgland1
1From the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Seabrook, Borgland).
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN
|March 14, 2020
Summary
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) plays a key role in controlling food intake and decision-making. Research suggests altered OFC function may contribute to obesity by influencing feeding behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Obesity is a global health issue driven by high-caloric food consumption.
- The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is crucial for decision-making and has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Recent research highlights the OFC's role in food intake, obesity, and eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in the cognitive control of feeding.
- To explore how OFC function may be altered in the context of obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical research data.
- Analysis of the OFC's integration of sensory information (taste, smell, vision).
- Examination of OFC's projections to thalamic, midbrain, and striatal regions.
Main Results:
- The OFC integrates sensory inputs to guide decision-making related to feeding.
- The OFC's dense reciprocal projections are critical for fine-tuning feeding behaviors.
- The OFC is anatomically and functionally positioned to influence excessive feeding.
Conclusions:
- The OFC acts as an integrative hub orchestrating motivated feeding behavior.
- Altered neurobiology and function of the OFC may contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity.
- Understanding OFC mechanisms is crucial for addressing obesity and eating disorders.
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