2022
Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Changes in Appetite in Patients With Depression
Kroemer NB, Opel N, Teckentrup V, Li M, Grotegerd D, Meinert S, Lemke H, Kircher T, Nenadić I, Krug A, Jansen A, Sommer J, Steinsträter O, Small DM, Dannlowski U, Walter M. Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Accumbens and Changes in Appetite in Patients With Depression. JAMA Psychiatry 2022, 79: 993-1003. PMID: 36001327, PMCID: PMC9403857, DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.2464.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMajor depressive disorderNAcc functional connectivityFunctional connectivityBody weightNucleus accumbensTreatment of MDDResting-state functional connectivityCase-control studySymptom-specific associationsHealthy control participantsIdentification of biomarkersClassification of diagnosesCohort studyMost patientsMean ageDepressive episodeDepressive disorderReduced appetiteMagnetic resonance imaging dataMAIN OUTCOMESubstantial burdenDepressive symptomsPatientsVentromedial prefrontal cortexReward circuitChronic pain precedes disrupted eating behavior in low-back pain patients
Lin Y, De Araujo I, Stanley G, Small D, Geha P. Chronic pain precedes disrupted eating behavior in low-back pain patients. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0263527. PMID: 35143525, PMCID: PMC8830732, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263527.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow back pain patientsChronic low back pain patientsFat-rich foodsPain patientsChronic painCLBP patientsSBP patientsNucleus accumbensBack pain patientsChronic pain patientsHealthy control subjectsNucleus accumbens volumePain chronificationFat ingestionHedonic feedingPatient populationAccumbens volumeControl subjectsLimbic brainPainEarly coursePatientsBehavioral alterationsHedonic perceptionNeurological standpoint
2021
Fat and Carbohydrate Interact to Potentiate Food Reward in Healthy Weight but Not in Overweight or Obesity
Perszyk EE, Hutelin Z, Trinh J, Kanyamibwa A, Fromm S, Davis XS, Wall KM, Flack KD, DiFeliceantonio AG, Small DM. Fat and Carbohydrate Interact to Potentiate Food Reward in Healthy Weight but Not in Overweight or Obesity. Nutrients 2021, 13: 1203. PMID: 33917347, PMCID: PMC8067354, DOI: 10.3390/nu13041203.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTracking smell loss to identify healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Weiss JJ, Attuquayefio TN, White EB, Li F, Herz RS, White TL, Campbell M, Geng B, Datta R, Wyllie AL, Grubaugh ND, Casanovas-Massana A, Muenker MC, Moore AJ, Handoko R, Iwasaki A, Martinello RA, Ko AI, Small DM, Farhadian SF, Team T. Tracking smell loss to identify healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 infection. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0248025. PMID: 33657167, PMCID: PMC7928484, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSARS-CoV-2 infectionSARS-CoV-2 positive healthcare workersSmell lossHealthcare workersHome assessmentNeurological symptomsPositive SARS-CoV-2 testSARS-CoV-2 test positivitySARS-CoV-2 testPolymerase chain reaction testingReal-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction testingQuantitative polymerase chain reaction testingCOVID-19 patientsHigh-risk groupHigh-risk individualsSARS-CoV-2Self-reported changesProspective studyTest positivityAsymptomatic infectionSymptom SurveyVulnerable patientsHigh riskPositive testRisk individualsPost-traumatic olfactory loss and brain response beyond olfactory cortex
Pellegrino R, Farruggia MC, Small DM, Veldhuizen MG. Post-traumatic olfactory loss and brain response beyond olfactory cortex. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 4043. PMID: 33597627, PMCID: PMC7889874, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83621-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosterior cingulate cortexOlfactory impairmentOlfactory cortexFunctional anosmiaPost-traumatic olfactory lossPrimary olfactory areasWhole-brain responsesBrain responsesGray matter densityHigher-order areasOlfactory lossPiriform cortexHead traumaHealthy controlsOlfactory areasOdorless stimuliOlfactory functionMediodorsal thalamusCortical areasVentromedial prefrontal cortexCingulate cortexFrontal operculumCortexAnterior insulaPrefrontal cortex
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 responseLoss of nucleus accumbens low-frequency fluctuations is a signature of chronic pain
Makary MM, Polosecki P, Cecchi GA, DeAraujo IE, Barron DS, Constable TR, Whang PG, Thomas DA, Mowafi H, Small DM, Geha P. Loss of nucleus accumbens low-frequency fluctuations is a signature of chronic pain. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 10015-10023. PMID: 32312809, PMCID: PMC7211984, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918682117.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic low back pain patientsLow back pain patientsChronic painPain patientsChronic phaseChronic back pain patientsBack pain patientsRostral anterior cingulate cortexAnterior cingulate cortexAdditional independent datasetsRisk of transitionResting-state activityPersistent painBack painAccumbens volumeHealthy controlsNucleus accumbensPainSeparate cohortPatientsCingulate cortexPrevalent diseaseFunctional connectivityLoss of nucleiSubcortical signaturesCirculating 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 basisDysfunction
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 ResearchSupra-Additive Effects of Combining Fat and Carbohydrate on Food Reward
DiFeliceantonio AG, Coppin G, Rigoux L, Thanarajah S, Dagher A, Tittgemeyer M, Small DM. Supra-Additive Effects of Combining Fat and Carbohydrate on Food Reward. Cell Metabolism 2018, 28: 33-44.e3. PMID: 29909968, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.05.018.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
Reorganization of brain connectivity in obesity
Geha P, Cecchi G, Constable R, Abdallah C, Small DM. Reorganization of brain connectivity in obesity. Human Brain Mapping 2016, 38: 1403-1420. PMID: 27859973, PMCID: PMC6866793, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23462.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGlobal brain connectivityDorsal attention networkPeripheral metabolic dysfunctionHum Brain MappSuperior parietal lobuleSomatomotor cortexMetabolic dysfunctionVentrolateral prefrontal cortexPremotor areasCaudate nucleusNeurocognitive impairmentObesityAnterior hippocampusVisual cortexBrain regionsParietal lobuleBrain functionPrefrontal cortexBrain connectivityMilkshake consumptionCortexFeeding decisionsBrain organizationInsulaHomeostatic stateInteraction between the obesity-risk gene FTO and the dopamine D2 receptor gene ANKK1/TaqIA on insulin sensitivity
Heni M, Kullmann S, Ahlqvist E, Wagner R, Machicao F, Staiger H, Häring HU, Almgren P, Groop LC, Small DM, Fritsche A, Preissl H. Interaction between the obesity-risk gene FTO and the dopamine D2 receptor gene ANKK1/TaqIA on insulin sensitivity. Diabetologia 2016, 59: 2622-2631. PMID: 27600277, DOI: 10.1007/s00125-016-4095-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipose TissueAdministration, IntranasalAdultAlpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTOFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseGenotypeGlucose Tolerance TestHumansInsulinInsulin ResistanceMagnetic Resonance SpectroscopyMaleMiddle AgedObesityPolymorphism, Single NucleotideProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesReceptors, Dopamine D2ConceptsInsulin sensitivityReceptor densityCaudate nucleusDopamine D2 receptor densityFTO obesity-risk alleleANKK1 polymorphismCentral insulin sensitivityIntranasal insulin administrationPeripheral insulin sensitivityBrain insulin sensitivityRisk of obesityDopamine receptor densityD2 receptor availabilityObesity risk allelesD2 receptor densityTübingen Family studyMalmö DietWaist circumferenceFTO SNP rs8050136FTO variationInsulin administrationD2 receptorsFood intakeBody fatBody compositionPerceptual 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 behaviorAutism Spectrum Disorder: Sniffing Out a New Biomarker
Small DM, Pelphrey KA. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Sniffing Out a New Biomarker. Current Biology 2015, 25: r674-r676. PMID: 26241147, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.06.050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBasolateral 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 eatingGreater 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 analysisWhat Can the Brain Teach Us about Winemaking? An fMRI Study of Alcohol Level Preferences
Frost R, Quiñones I, Veldhuizen M, Alava JI, Small D, Carreiras M. What Can the Brain Teach Us about Winemaking? An fMRI Study of Alcohol Level Preferences. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0119220. PMID: 25785844, PMCID: PMC4364721, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119220.Peer-Reviewed Original Research