2020
No modulation of postprandial metabolism by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: a cross-over study in 15 healthy men
Vosseler A, Zhao D, Fritsche L, Lehmann R, Kantartzis K, Small DM, Peter A, Häring HU, Birkenfeld AL, Fritsche A, Wagner R, Preißl H, Kullmann S, Heni M. No modulation of postprandial metabolism by transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation: a cross-over study in 15 healthy men. Scientific Reports 2020, 10: 20466. PMID: 33235256, PMCID: PMC7686306, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77430-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTranscutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulationOral glucose tolerance testAuricular vagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulationGlucose tolerance testAutonomic nervous systemNerve stimulationCatecholamine levelsTolerance testNervous systemHealthy lean menCross-over studyHeart rate variability parametersCross-over designWhole-body metabolismHeart rate variabilityMajor regulatory effectsLean menAutonomic innervationAutonomic toneHealthy menPlasma glucoseInsulin sensitivityPeripheral organsInsulin secretionIdentification of an Amygdala–Thalamic Circuit That Acts as a Central Gain Mechanism in Taste Perceptions
Veldhuizen MG, Farruggia MC, Gao X, Nakamura Y, Green BG, Small DM. Identification of an Amygdala–Thalamic Circuit That Acts as a Central Gain Mechanism in Taste Perceptions. Journal Of Neuroscience 2020, 40: 5051-5062. PMID: 32371606, PMCID: PMC7314406, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2618-19.2020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAmygdalaFemaleHumansMaleNeural PathwaysTaste PerceptionThalamusYoung AdultConceptsTaste intensity perceptionHealthy human participantsFunctional magnetic resonanceVentral posterior medial thalamusPosterior medial thalamusIntensity ratingsMedial dorsalMedial thalamusInhibitory outputInhibitory inputsPeripheral sourcesMagnetic resonanceInhibitory influenceIntensity perceptionCentral circuitsGustatory factorsIndividual variationDynamic causal modeling analysisConnectivity strengthAmygdalaMultiple tastantsGustatory systemMean intensity ratingsTaste intensity ratingsAmygdala responseCirculating Triglycerides Gate Dopamine-Associated Behaviors through DRD2-Expressing Neurons
Berland C, Montalban E, Perrin E, Di Miceli M, Nakamura Y, Martinat M, Sullivan M, Davis XS, Shenasa MA, Martin C, Tolu S, Marti F, Caille S, Castel J, Perez S, Salinas CG, Morel C, Hecksher-Sørensen J, Cador M, Fioramonti X, Tschöp MH, Layé S, Venance L, Faure P, Hnasko TS, Small DM, Gangarossa G, Luquet SH. Circulating Triglycerides Gate Dopamine-Associated Behaviors through DRD2-Expressing Neurons. Cell Metabolism 2020, 31: 773-790.e11. PMID: 32142669, PMCID: PMC7250662, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDopamine receptor subtype 2Lipoprotein lipaseReceptor subtype 2Energy-rich dietDopaminergic transmissionMesocorticolimbic systemDietary triglyceridesSubtype 2Reward deficitsReward circuitMetabolic signaturesWeight gainCompulsive feedingFood cuesTriglyceridesGenetic riskBrain responsesNew mechanistic basisCompulsive behaviorsNeuronsNovel mechanismMechanistic basisDysfunctionShort-Term Consumption of Sucralose with, but Not without, Carbohydrate Impairs Neural and Metabolic Sensitivity to Sugar in Humans
Dalenberg JR, Patel BP, Denis R, Veldhuizen MG, Nakamura Y, Vinke PC, Luquet S, Small DM. Short-Term Consumption of Sucralose with, but Not without, Carbohydrate Impairs Neural and Metabolic Sensitivity to Sugar in Humans. Cell Metabolism 2020, 31: 493-502.e7. PMID: 32130881, PMCID: PMC7784207, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.01.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlucose metabolismPrevalence of obesityType 2 diabetesSugar-sweetened beveragesConsumption of sucraloseHealthy human participantsInsulin sensitivityTerm consumptionTaste perceptionMetabolismLong-term decreaseSweet tasteMetabolic sensitivityComorbiditiesGeneral consensusObesityDiabetesHuman participantsBeveragesMidbrainPrevalenceBrainSimilar relationship
2018
Sweet taste potentiates the reinforcing effects of e-cigarettes
Kroemer NB, Veldhuizen MG, Delvy R, Patel BP, O'Malley SS, Small DM. Sweet taste potentiates the reinforcing effects of e-cigarettes. European Neuropsychopharmacology 2018, 28: 1089-1102. PMID: 30093174, DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.07.102.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Integration of Sweet Taste and Metabolism Determines Carbohydrate Reward
Veldhuizen MG, Babbs RK, Patel B, Fobbs W, Kroemer NB, Garcia E, Yeomans MR, Small DM. Integration of Sweet Taste and Metabolism Determines Carbohydrate Reward. Current Biology 2017, 27: 2476-2485.e6. PMID: 28803868, PMCID: PMC5745144, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCaloric loadGreater metabolic responseNon-linear associationMetabolic responseSugar-sweetened beveragesBrain responsesLow-calorie beveragesHigh-calorie beveragesNon-nutritive sweetenersGreater brain responsePost-ingestive signalsHuman studiesSweet tasteNutrient metabolismCarbohydrate metabolismNovel mechanismBeveragesPotencyAssociationMetabolismCarbohydrate rewards
2016
Perceptual and Brain Response to Odors Is Associated with Body Mass Index and Postprandial Total Ghrelin Reactivity to a Meal
Sun X, Veldhuizen MG, Babbs AE, Sinha R, Small DM. Perceptual and Brain Response to Odors Is Associated with Body Mass Index and Postprandial Total Ghrelin Reactivity to a Meal. Chemical Senses 2016, 41: 233-248. PMID: 26826114, PMCID: PMC4850930, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjv081.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexMass indexHealthy weight subjectsBrain responsesFunctional magnetic resonance imagingMagnetic resonance imagingGhrelin suppressionWeight subjectsMetabolic healthFree fatty acidsMetabolic measuresAnimal studiesBody weightResonance imagingOlfactory-guided behaviorDifferential brain responsesEndocrine influencesChemosensory stimuliMetabolic peptidesMetabolic responseOlfactory sensitivityHuman researchInconsistent resultsMealFatty acids
2015
Weighing the evidence: Variance in brain responses to milkshake receipt is predictive of eating behavior
Kroemer NB, Sun X, Veldhuizen MG, Babbs AE, de Araujo IE, Small DM. Weighing the evidence: Variance in brain responses to milkshake receipt is predictive of eating behavior. NeuroImage 2015, 128: 273-283. PMID: 26724781, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain responsesHigher body mass indexAd libitum food consumptionBody mass indexGreater weight lossNucleus Accumbens ResponseFunctional magnetic resonanceMilkshake receiptMass indexPlasma insulinPlasma glucoseMetabolic parametersDietary disinhibitionStriatal activityVariable response patternsWeight lossFood stimuliMetabolic responseSensory stimuliFood consumptionIntra-individual variationVariable responseMilkshakeMagnetic resonanceResponse patternsFatty acid amide supplementation decreases impulsivity in young adult heavy drinkers
van Kooten MJ, Veldhuizen MG, de Araujo IE, O'Malley SS, Small DM. Fatty acid amide supplementation decreases impulsivity in young adult heavy drinkers. Physiology & Behavior 2015, 155: 131-140. PMID: 26656766, PMCID: PMC4718847, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGo/No-Go taskHeavy drinkersStriatal extracellular dopamine levelsVagal afferent signalingExtracellular dopamine levelsHeavy drinking young adultsAlcohol intakeAdult heavy drinkersSupplementation regimenAfferent signalingYoung adult heavy drinkersDopamine levelsSelf-report questionnairesDecrease impulsivityTherapeutic potentialDietary supplementsIntragastric infusionAlcohol useYoung adultsFatty acid amidesPlaceboPreliminary evidenceBehavioral tasksImpulsive respondingImpulsive behaviorGreater perceived ability to form vivid mental images in individuals with high compared to low BMI
Patel BP, Aschenbrenner K, Shamah D, Small DM. Greater perceived ability to form vivid mental images in individuals with high compared to low BMI. Appetite 2015, 91: 185-189. PMID: 25865661, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.04.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImagery abilityMental imagery abilityFrequent food cravingsFood cue reactivityVivid mental imagesHierarchical regression analysisMental imageryOlfactory imageryCue reactivityVisual objectsMental imagesFood cravingsPositive associationSecond experimentSignificant positive associationBest predictorParticipantsIndividualsAbilityImageryCravingObese individualsMeasuresRegression analysisCorrelation analysisOpposing relationships of BMI with BOLD and dopamine D2/3 receptor binding potential in the dorsal striatum
Cosgrove KP, Veldhuizen MG, Sandiego CM, Morris ED, Small DM. Opposing relationships of BMI with BOLD and dopamine D2/3 receptor binding potential in the dorsal striatum. Synapse 2015, 69: 195-202. PMID: 25664726, PMCID: PMC4411955, DOI: 10.1002/syn.21809.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexPalatable food consumptionDorsal striatumMass indexBOLD responseReceptor availabilityRelationship of BMIFood consumptionPET studiesMagnetic resonance imaging studyPositron emission tomography studyBlood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responseDopamine D2/3 receptorsHigh-fat dietDopamine receptor levelsEmission tomography studiesFMRI studyResonance imaging studyFunctional magnetic resonance imaging studyLevel-dependent responsesReliable inverse relationshipHealthy weightD2/3 receptorsStriatal circuitryFat diet
2014
Working memory and reward association learning impairments in obesity
Coppin G, Nolan-Poupart S, Jones-Gotman M, Small DM. Working memory and reward association learning impairments in obesity. Neuropsychologia 2014, 65: 146-155. PMID: 25447070, PMCID: PMC4259845, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.10.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHealthy weight individualsNegative outcomesExplicit learningReward association learningProbabilistic learning taskFunction of groupHealthy weight groupObese individualsReward associationsStimulus-rewardExecutive functionAssociation learningLearning taskExperiment 1Learning impairmentHealthy weightParadoxical preferenceWeight individualsPositive outcomesMemoryWeight groupInfluence of obesitySecond experimentCurrent studyDeficitsThe neural signature of satiation is associated with ghrelin response and triglyceride metabolism
Sun X, Veldhuizen MG, Wray AE, de Araujo IE, Sherwin RS, Sinha R, Small DM. The neural signature of satiation is associated with ghrelin response and triglyceride metabolism. Physiology & Behavior 2014, 136: 63-73. PMID: 24732416, PMCID: PMC4195817, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.04.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPalatable foodMeal terminationBrain responsesAd libitum mealPost-prandial reductionMedial orbitofrontal cortexDorsolateral prefrontal cortexGhrelin responseAcute changesFree fatty acidsPeripheral signalsTriglyceride metabolismBrain regionsBrain circuitsOrbitofrontal cortexPrefrontal cortexAmount of foodGhrelinMidbrainMilkshakeTriglyceridesCortexFatty acidsEnergy storesGreater attenuation
2013
Decreased caudate response to milkshake is associated with higher body mass index and greater impulsivity
Babbs RK, Sun X, Felsted J, Chouinard-Decorte F, Veldhuizen MG, Small DM. Decreased caudate response to milkshake is associated with higher body mass index and greater impulsivity. Physiology & Behavior 2013, 121: 103-111. PMID: 23562867, PMCID: PMC3731396, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.03.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexCaudate responseMass indexCaudate nucleusBrain responsesHigher body mass indexWeight gainHealthy weight subjectsTasteless control solutionEnergy-dense foodsSelf-reported impulsivityWeight subjectsNegative associationVentral putamenDorsal striatumFood rewardDense foodsSignificant associationInverse correlationMilkshakeOverweightGreater impulsivityMeasures of impulsivityGreater responseAssociation
2012
The effect of verbal context on olfactory neural responses
Bensafi M, Croy I, Phillips N, Rouby C, Sezille C, Gerber J, Small DM, Hummel T. The effect of verbal context on olfactory neural responses. Human Brain Mapping 2012, 35: 810-818. PMID: 23225581, PMCID: PMC6869804, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMidbrain response to milkshake correlates with ad libitum milkshake intake in the absence of hunger
Nolan-Poupart S, Veldhuizen MG, Geha P, Small DM. Midbrain response to milkshake correlates with ad libitum milkshake intake in the absence of hunger. Appetite 2012, 60: 168-174. PMID: 23064394, PMCID: PMC3526000, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2012.09.032.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbsence of hungerFunctional magnetic resonance imagingSubsequent intakeRatings of hungerPeriaqueductal gray regionMidbrain responsesMagnetic resonance imagingKey reward regionsPalatable milkshakeSignificant positive associationPalatable foodResonance imagingInsular responsesOrbitofrontal cortexNeural circuitsGreater intakeMilkshake consumptionIntakeReward regionsBrain responsesEnhanced responseMilkshakePositive associationMidbrainGray region
2011
The Anterior Insular Cortex Represents Breaches of Taste Identity Expectation
Veldhuizen MG, Douglas D, Aschenbrenner K, Gitelman DR, Small DM. The Anterior Insular Cortex Represents Breaches of Taste Identity Expectation. Journal Of Neuroscience 2011, 31: 14735-14744. PMID: 21994389, PMCID: PMC3221736, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1502-11.2011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchModality-Specific Neural Effects of Selective Attention to Taste and Odor
Veldhuizen MG, Small DM. Modality-Specific Neural Effects of Selective Attention to Taste and Odor. Chemical Senses 2011, 36: 747-760. PMID: 21685407, PMCID: PMC3175104, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjr043.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary olfactory cortexPrimary taste cortexAnterior insular cortexInsular cortexOlfactory cortexTaste cortexPrimary gustatory cortexFunctional magnetic resonancePrimary olfactoryGustatory cortexModality-specific activationInsular responsesNeural effectsCortexBrain responsesMultimodal regionsTaste perceptionMagnetic resonanceGeneral effectSelective attentionActivationResponse
2009
Neural correlates of evaluative compared with passive tasting
Bender G, Veldhuizen MG, Meltzer JA, Gitelman DR, Small DM. Neural correlates of evaluative compared with passive tasting. European Journal Of Neuroscience 2009, 30: 327-338. PMID: 19614981, PMCID: PMC2776645, DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06819.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLateral orbitofrontal cortexOrbitofrontal cortexPrimary taste cortexLeft lateral orbitofrontal cortexFunctional magnetic resonanceTasteless solutionMaximal responseTaste cortexFunction of taskCortical representationGustatory informationAnterior insulaVentral regionNeural responsesPreferential connectivityAmygdalaNeural correlatesCortexInsulaNeural encodingSubjectsStimulus presenceMagnetic resonanceResponseEarly relaySeparate Signals for Orthonasal vs. Retronasal Perception of Food but Not Nonfood Odors
Bender G, Hummel T, Negoias S, Small DM. Separate Signals for Orthonasal vs. Retronasal Perception of Food but Not Nonfood Odors. Behavioral Neuroscience 2009, 123: 481-489. PMID: 19485554, DOI: 10.1037/a0015065.Peer-Reviewed Original Research