2020
Identification 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 ResearchConceptsTaste 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 response
2015
Basolateral Amygdala Response to Food Cues in the Absence of Hunger Is Associated with Weight Gain Susceptibility
Sun X, Kroemer NB, Veldhuizen MG, Babbs AE, de Araujo IE, Gitelman DR, Sherwin RS, Sinha R, Small DM. Basolateral Amygdala Response to Food Cues in the Absence of Hunger Is Associated with Weight Gain Susceptibility. Journal Of Neuroscience 2015, 35: 7964-7976. PMID: 25995480, PMCID: PMC4438134, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3884-14.2015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAbsence of hungerWeight changeBasolateral amygdalaLong-term weight changeLong-term weight gainWeight gain susceptibilityGustatory inputD2 receptor densityA1 allele carriersAmygdala responseSated subjectsGhrelin levelsInitial BMILateral hypothalamusHuman hypothalamusAllele carriersReceptor densityAmygdala pathwayHealthy individualsElicit eatingDopamine signalingConfer susceptibilityWeight gainDynamic causal modelingNonhomeostatic eating
2012
Acute stress potentiates brain response to milkshake as a function of body weight and chronic stress
Rudenga KJ, Sinha R, Small DM. Acute stress potentiates brain response to milkshake as a function of body weight and chronic stress. International Journal Of Obesity 2012, 37: 309-316. PMID: 22430303, PMCID: PMC3381866, DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2012.39.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexFunctional magnetic resonance imagingChronic stressOrbitofrontal cortexRight amygdalaBody weightPalatable foodAcute stressBasal cortisol levelsBrain responsesAmygdala responseMagnetic resonance imagingStress-related eatingMilkshake receiptPalatable milkshakeObese womenOverweight womenMass indexRight amygdala responseOFC responsesPotentiates responsesCortisol levelsLeft amygdalaResonance imagingVentral striatum
2011
Amygdala response to sucrose consumption is inversely related to artificial sweetener use
Rudenga KJ, Small DM. Amygdala response to sucrose consumption is inversely related to artificial sweetener use. Appetite 2011, 58: 504-507. PMID: 22178008, PMCID: PMC3289048, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2010
Increased amygdala response and decreased influence of internal state on amygdala response to food in overweight compared to healthy weight individuals
Chouinard-Decorte F, Felsted J, Small D. Increased amygdala response and decreased influence of internal state on amygdala response to food in overweight compared to healthy weight individuals. Appetite 2010, 54: 639. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2010.04.042.Peer-Reviewed Original Research