Skip to Main Content
DownloadHi-Res Photo

Dana Small, PhD

Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Psychology; Director, Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center

Contact Information

Dana Small, PhD

Mailing Address

  • Small Lab

    Modern Diet and Physiology Research Lab, 1 Church Street

    New Haven, CT 06510

    United States

Modern Diet and Physiology Research Lab
Download CV

Related Links

Research Summary

Dr. Small’s research focuses on chemosensation and ingestive behavior in humans using neuroimaging combined with metabolic, psychophysical and neuropsychological methods. A major focus of her current work is understanding the impact of diet on gut-brain signaling, perception and cognition. Dr. Small has also established a translational - reverse translational program of research through collaborations with colleagues working in mouse models. The Small Lab currently has a fully automated and fMRI compatible olfactometer, gustometer, and indirect calorimeter. The lab is also equipped with a mock scanner, bio-impedance device, phlebotomy suite, three subject testing rooms and a wet lab.

Specialized Terms: Neurophysiology of feeding; Chemical senses; Neuroimaging; Dopamine; Addiction; Motivation; Psychophysics; Stress; Obesity

Extensive Research Description

  • The role of central insulin sensitivity on cognition in prediabetes
  • Central coding of taste and flavor.
  • Physiological mechanisms underlying food choice and ingestive behavior
  • The impact of diet, adiposity and metabolic dysfunction on brain structure and function, including mood, cognition and addiction.
  • Targeting the gut-brain axis for weight-loss maintenance
  • Determining the role of the gut-brain axis in alcohol dependence
  • Understanding the mechanisms underlying dopamine adaptations in response to diet, adiposity and metabolic dysfunction.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Dopamine; Energy Metabolism; Motivation; Neurophysiology; Obesity; Psychophysics; Stress, Psychological; Neuroimaging; Psychiatry and Psychology; Food Addiction

Research Image

The high and low roads to food reward

Subliminal reward signals (blue pathway) are generated during nutrient metabolism in the gut and are conveyed to the hindbrain, midbrain, and striatum. Taste and oral somatosensation and retronasal olfaction (red pathways) travel through cranial nerves 5, 7, 9, and 10 to the sensory cortex and are integrated into flavor objects in the insula. Sensory information from the high road and subliminal reward signals from the low road converge in the insula, and higher-order cortical areas (purple areas) exert additional influences upon perception to govern food choice. (de Araujo IE, Schatzker M, Small DM. Rethinking Food Reward. Annual Review Of Psychology 2020, 71:139-164.)

Selected Publications

  • Rethinking Food Reward.de Araujo IE, Schatzker M, Small DM. Rethinking Food Reward. Annual Review Of Psychology 2020, 71: 139-164. PMID: 31561741, DOI: 10.1146/annurev-psych-122216-011643.
  • Short-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.
  • Circulating 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.
  • Loss 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.
  • 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. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2020, 40: 5051-5062. PMID: 32371606, PMCID: PMC7314406, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2618-19.2020.
  • Identification of a brain fingerprint for overweight and obesity.Farruggia MC, van Kooten MJ, Perszyk EE, Burke MV, Scheinost D, Constable RT, Small DM. Identification of a brain fingerprint for overweight and obesity. Physiology & Behavior 2020, 222: 112940. PMID: 32417645, PMCID: PMC7321926, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112940.
  • Central nervous pathways of insulin action in the control of metabolism and food intake.Kullmann S, Kleinridders A, Small DM, Fritsche A, Häring HU, Preissl H, Heni M. Central nervous pathways of insulin action in the control of metabolism and food intake. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology 2020, 8: 524-534. PMID: 32445739, DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30113-3.
  • Tracking 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, Handoko R, Iwasaki A, Martinello RA, Ko AI, Small DM, Farhadian SF. Tracking Smell Loss to Identify Healthcare Workers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection. MedRxiv : The Preprint Server For Health Sciences 2020 PMID: 32935121, PMCID: PMC7491536, DOI: 10.1101/2020.09.07.20188813.
  • Dopamine and diet-induced obesity.DiFeliceantonio AG, Small DM. Dopamine and diet-induced obesity. Nature Neuroscience 2019, 22: 1-2. PMID: 30559474, DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0304-0.
  • Food Intake Recruits Orosensory and Post-ingestive Dopaminergic Circuits to Affect Eating Desire in Humans.Thanarajah SE, Backes H, DiFeliceantonio AG, Albus K, Cremer AL, Hanssen R, Lippert RN, Cornely OA, Small DM, Brüning JC, Tittgemeyer M. Food Intake Recruits Orosensory and Post-ingestive Dopaminergic Circuits to Affect Eating Desire in Humans. Cell Metabolism 2019, 29: 695-706.e4. PMID: 30595479, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.12.006.
  • Processed foods and food reward.Small DM, DiFeliceantonio AG. Processed foods and food reward. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2019, 363: 346-347. PMID: 30679360, DOI: 10.1126/science.aav0556.
  • Supra-Additive Effects of Combining Fat and Carbohydrate on Food Reward.DiFeliceantonio AG, Coppin G, Rigoux L, Edwin 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.
  • 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 : The Journal Of The European College Of Neuropsychopharmacology 2018, 28: 1089-1102. PMID: 30093174, DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.07.102.
  • Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict Obesity Treatment (ADOPT): Recommendations from the Biological Domain.Rosenbaum M, Agurs-Collins T, Bray MS, Hall KD, Hopkins M, Laughlin M, MacLean PS, Maruvada P, Savage CR, Small DM, Stoeckel L. Accumulating Data to Optimally Predict Obesity Treatment (ADOPT): Recommendations from the Biological Domain. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 2018, 26 Suppl 2: S25-S34. PMID: 29575784, PMCID: PMC6945498, DOI: 10.1002/oby.22156.
  • Reorganization of brain connectivity in obesity.Geha P, Cecchi G, Todd Constable R, Abdallah C, Small DM. Reorganization of brain connectivity in obesity. Human Brain Mapping 2017, 38: 1403-1420. PMID: 27859973, PMCID: PMC6866793, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23462.
  • 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 : CB 2017, 27: 2476-2485.e6. PMID: 28803868, PMCID: PMC5745144, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.07.018.
  • Dopamine Adaptations as a Common Pathway for Neurocognitive Impairment in Diabetes and Obesity: A Neuropsychological Perspective.Small DM. Dopamine Adaptations as a Common Pathway for Neurocognitive Impairment in Diabetes and Obesity: A Neuropsychological Perspective. Frontiers In Neuroscience 2017, 11: 134. PMID: 28400713, PMCID: PMC5368264, DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00134.
  • DRD2: Bridging the Genome and Ingestive Behavior.Sun X, Luquet S, Small DM. DRD2: Bridging the Genome and Ingestive Behavior. Trends In Cognitive Sciences 2017, 21: 372-384. PMID: 28372879, PMCID: PMC5745142, DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2017.03.004.
  • Fuel not fun: Reinterpreting attenuated brain responses to reward in obesity.Kroemer NB, Small DM. Fuel not fun: Reinterpreting attenuated brain responses to reward in obesity. Physiology & Behavior 2016, 162: 37-45. PMID: 27085908, PMCID: PMC4971522, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.04.020.
  • Interaction 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.
  • 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 2016, 128: 273-283. PMID: 26724781, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.031.
  • Fatty 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 2016, 155: 131-40. PMID: 26656766, PMCID: PMC4718847, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.032.
  • 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: 233-48. PMID: 26826114, PMCID: PMC4850930, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjv081.
  • Complex mechanisms linking neurocognitive dysfunction to insulin resistance and other metabolic dysfunction.Stoeckel LE, Arvanitakis Z, Gandy S, Small D, Kahn CR, Pascual-Leone A, Pawlyk A, Sherwin R, Smith P. Complex mechanisms linking neurocognitive dysfunction to insulin resistance and other metabolic dysfunction. F1000Research 2016, 5: 353. PMID: 27303627, PMCID: PMC4897751, DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.8300.2.
  • Effects of the modern food environment on striatal function, cognition and regulation of ingestive behavior.Burke MV, Small DM. Effects of the modern food environment on striatal function, cognition and regulation of ingestive behavior. Current Opinion In Behavioral Sciences 2016, 9: 97-105. PMID: 29619405, PMCID: PMC5879782, DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.02.036.
  • 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. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2015, 35: 7964-76. PMID: 25995480, PMCID: PMC4438134, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3884-14.2015.
  • Physiological mechanisms by which non-nutritive sweeteners may impact body weight and metabolism.Burke MV, Small DM. Physiological mechanisms by which non-nutritive sweeteners may impact body weight and metabolism. Physiology & Behavior 2015, 152: 381-8. PMID: 26048305, PMCID: PMC4661139, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.036.
  • What 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.
  • Greater 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: 185-9. PMID: 25865661, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.04.005.
  • Opposing 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 (New York, N.Y.) 2015, 69: 195-202. PMID: 25664726, PMCID: PMC4411955, DOI: 10.1002/syn.21809.
  • Autism spectrum disorder: sniffing out a new biomarker.Small DM, Pelphrey KA. Autism spectrum disorder: sniffing out a new biomarker. Current Biology : CB 2015, 25: R674-6. PMID: 26241147, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.06.050.
  • 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: 146-55. PMID: 25447070, PMCID: PMC4259845, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2014.10.004.
  • 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 2014, 35: 810-8. PMID: 23225581, PMCID: PMC6869804, DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22215.
  • Decreased food pleasure and disrupted satiety signals in chronic low back pain.Geha P, Dearaujo I, Green B, Small DM. Decreased food pleasure and disrupted satiety signals in chronic low back pain. Pain 2014, 155: 712-722. PMID: 24384160, DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2013.12.027.
  • The 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.
  • Metabolic regulation of brain response to food cues.de Araujo IE, Lin T, Veldhuizen MG, Small DM. Metabolic regulation of brain response to food cues. Current Biology : CB 2013, 23: 878-83. PMID: 23643837, PMCID: PMC3767438, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.04.001.
  • Ventromedial prefrontal cortex response to concentrated sucrose reflects liking rather than sweet quality coding.Rudenga KJ, Small DM. Ventromedial prefrontal cortex response to concentrated sucrose reflects liking rather than sweet quality coding. Chemical Senses 2013, 38: 585-94. PMID: 23828907, PMCID: PMC3747761, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjt029.
  • Sensory neuroscience: taste responses in primary olfactory cortex.Small DM, Veldhuizen MG, Green B. Sensory neuroscience: taste responses in primary olfactory cortex. Current Biology : CB 2013, 23: R157-9. PMID: 23428327, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.12.036.
  • Verbal descriptors influence hypothalamic response to low-calorie drinks.Veldhuizen MG, Nachtigal DJ, Flammer LJ, de Araujo IE, Small DM. Verbal descriptors influence hypothalamic response to low-calorie drinks. Molecular Metabolism 2013, 2: 270-80. PMID: 24049739, PMCID: PMC3773823, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2013.06.004.
  • Midbrain 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 2013, 60: 168-174. PMID: 23064394, PMCID: PMC3526000, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2012.09.032.
  • Neural correlates of stress- and food cue-induced food craving in obesity: association with insulin levels.Jastreboff AM, Sinha R, Lacadie C, Small DM, Sherwin RS, Potenza MN. Neural correlates of stress- and food cue-induced food craving in obesity: association with insulin levels. Diabetes Care 2013, 36: 394-402. PMID: 23069840, PMCID: PMC3554293, DOI: 10.2337/dc12-1112.
  • Altered hypothalamic response to food in smokers.Geha PY, Aschenbrenner K, Felsted J, O'Malley SS, Small DM. Altered hypothalamic response to food in smokers. The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition 2013, 97: 15-22. PMID: 23235196, PMCID: PMC3522134, DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.112.043307.
  • A question of taste.Murdoch S, Gorrie G, Small DM, Bhattacharya JJ. A question of taste. Neurology 2013, 80: 1265. PMID: 23530152, PMCID: PMC3691783, DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318289dcd9.
  • 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: 103-11. PMID: 23562867, PMCID: PMC3731396, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.03.025.
  • Flavor is in the brain.Small DM. Flavor is in the brain. Physiology & Behavior 2012, 107: 540-52. PMID: 22542991, DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.04.011.
  • 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 2012, 58: 504-7. PMID: 22178008, PMCID: PMC3289048, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2011.12.001.
  • An fMRI Study of the Interactions Between the Attention and the Gustatory Networks.Veldhuizen MG, Gitelman DR, Small DM. An fMRI Study of the Interactions Between the Attention and the Gustatory Networks. Chemosensory Perception 2012, 5: 117-127. PMID: 25419265, PMCID: PMC4239214, DOI: 10.1007/s12078-012-9122-z.
  • Neuroimaging the interaction of mind and metabolism in humans.D'Agostino AE, Small DM. Neuroimaging the interaction of mind and metabolism in humans. Molecular Metabolism 2012, 1: 10-20. PMID: 24024114, PMCID: PMC3757655, DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2012.06.002.
  • Orosensory and Homeostatic Functions of the Insular Taste Cortex.de Araujo IE, Geha P, Small DM. Orosensory and Homeostatic Functions of the Insular Taste Cortex. Chemosensory Perception 2012, 5: 64-79. PMID: 25485032, PMCID: PMC4254792, DOI: 10.1007/s12078-012-9117-9.
  • Youth at risk for obesity show greater activation of striatal and somatosensory regions to food.Stice E, Yokum S, Burger KS, Epstein LH, Small DM. Youth at risk for obesity show greater activation of striatal and somatosensory regions to food. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2011, 31: 4360-6. PMID: 21430137, PMCID: PMC3260083, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.6604-10.2011.
  • Modality-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: 747-60. PMID: 21685407, PMCID: PMC3175104, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjr043.
  • 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. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2011, 31: 14735-44. PMID: 21994389, PMCID: PMC3221736, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1502-11.2011.
  • Genetically determined differences in brain response to a primary food reward.Felsted JA, Ren X, Chouinard-Decorte F, Small DM. Genetically determined differences in brain response to a primary food reward. The Journal Of Neuroscience : The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience 2010, 30: 2428-32. PMID: 20164326, PMCID: PMC2831082, DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5483-09.2010.
  • Taste representation in the human insula.Small DM. Taste representation in the human insula. Brain Structure & Function 2010, 214: 551-61. PMID: 20512366, DOI: 10.1007/s00429-010-0266-9.
  • The insular taste cortex contributes to odor quality coding.Veldhuizen MG, Nachtigal D, Teulings L, Gitelman DR, Small DM. The insular taste cortex contributes to odor quality coding. Frontiers In Human Neuroscience 2010, 4 PMID: 20700500, PMCID: PMC2917218, DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2010.00058.
  • Evidence for an integrated oral sensory module in the human anterior ventral insula.Rudenga K, Green B, Nachtigal D, Small DM. Evidence for an integrated oral sensory module in the human anterior ventral insula. Chemical Senses 2010, 35: 693-703. PMID: 20595201, PMCID: PMC2943409, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjq068.
  • Symposium overview: What Happens to the pontine processing? repercussions of interspecies differences in pontine taste representation for tasting and feeding.Small DM, Scott TR. Symposium overview: What Happens to the pontine processing? repercussions of interspecies differences in pontine taste representation for tasting and feeding. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2009, 1170: 343-6. PMID: 19686158, PMCID: PMC2729766, DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03918.x.
  • The role of the parabrachial nucleus in taste processing and feeding.Scott TR, Small DM. The role of the parabrachial nucleus in taste processing and feeding. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2009, 1170: 372-7. PMID: 19686161, DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.03906.x.
  • Separate 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: 481-9. PMID: 19485554, DOI: 10.1037/a0015065.
  • 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. The European Journal Of Neuroscience 2009, 30: 327-38. PMID: 19614981, PMCID: PMC2776645, DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.06819.x.
  • Individual differences in the neurophysiology of reward and the obesity epidemic.Small DM. Individual differences in the neurophysiology of reward and the obesity epidemic. International Journal Of Obesity (2005) 2009, 33 Suppl 2: S44-8. PMID: 19528979, PMCID: PMC2788336, DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2009.71.
  • Separable substrates for anticipatory and consummatory food chemosensation.Small DM, Veldhuizen MG, Felsted J, Mak YE, McGlone F. Separable substrates for anticipatory and consummatory food chemosensation. Neuron 2008, 57: 786-97. PMID: 18341997, PMCID: PMC2669434, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2008.01.021.
  • The spatial attention network interacts with limbic and monoaminergic systems to modulate motivation-induced attention shifts.Mohanty A, Gitelman DR, Small DM, Mesulam MM. The spatial attention network interacts with limbic and monoaminergic systems to modulate motivation-induced attention shifts. Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) 2008, 18: 2604-13. PMID: 18308706, PMCID: PMC2567423, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhn021.
  • Sleep deprivation alters functioning within the neural network underlying the covert orienting of attention.Mander BA, Reid KJ, Davuluri VK, Small DM, Parrish TB, Mesulam MM, Zee PC, Gitelman DR. Sleep deprivation alters functioning within the neural network underlying the covert orienting of attention. Brain Research 2008, 1217: 148-56. PMID: 18511023, PMCID: PMC2528837, DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.04.030.
  • How does food's appearance or smell influence the way it tastes?Small DM. How does food's appearance or smell influence the way it tastes? Scientific American 2008, 299: 100. PMID: 18623972.
  • Modulation of the spatial attention network by incentives in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment.Bagurdes LA, Mesulam MM, Gitelman DR, Weintraub S, Small DM. Modulation of the spatial attention network by incentives in healthy aging and mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychologia 2008, 46: 2943-8. PMID: 18602410, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2008.06.005.
  • Relation of reward from food intake and anticipated food intake to obesity: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.Stice E, Spoor S, Bohon C, Veldhuizen MG, Small DM. Relation of reward from food intake and anticipated food intake to obesity: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Journal Of Abnormal Psychology 2008, 117: 924-35. PMID: 19025237, PMCID: PMC2681092, DOI: 10.1037/a0013600.
  • Relation between obesity and blunted striatal response to food is moderated by TaqIA A1 allele.Stice E, Spoor S, Bohon C, Small DM. Relation between obesity and blunted striatal response to food is moderated by TaqIA A1 allele. Science (New York, N.Y.) 2008, 322: 449-52. PMID: 18927395, PMCID: PMC2681095, DOI: 10.1126/science.1161550.
  • Trying to detect taste in a tasteless solution: modulation of early gustatory cortex by attention to taste.Veldhuizen MG, Bender G, Constable RT, Small DM. Trying to detect taste in a tasteless solution: modulation of early gustatory cortex by attention to taste. Chemical Senses 2007, 32: 569-81. PMID: 17495173, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjm025.
  • The role of the human orbitofrontal cortex in taste and flavor processing.Small DM, Bender G, Veldhuizen MG, Rudenga K, Nachtigal D, Felsted J. The role of the human orbitofrontal cortex in taste and flavor processing. Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences 2007, 1121: 136-51. PMID: 17846155, DOI: 10.1196/annals.1401.002.
  • Central gustatory processing in humans.Small DM. Central gustatory processing in humans. Advances In Oto-rhino-laryngology 2006, 63: 191-220. PMID: 16733340, DOI: 10.1159/000093761.
  • Increased taste intensity perception exhibited by patients with chronic back pain.Small DM, Apkarian VA. Increased taste intensity perception exhibited by patients with chronic back pain. Pain 2006, 120: 124-130. PMID: 16360267, DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2005.10.021.
  • Odor/taste integration and the perception of flavor.Small DM, Prescott J. Odor/taste integration and the perception of flavor. Experimental Brain Research 2005, 166: 345-57. PMID: 16028032, DOI: 10.1007/s00221-005-2376-9.
  • Taste and olfactory intensity perception changes following left insular stroke.Mak YE, Simmons KB, Gitelman DR, Small DM. Taste and olfactory intensity perception changes following left insular stroke. Behavioral Neuroscience 2005, 119: 1693-700. PMID: 16420174, DOI: 10.1037/0735-7044.119.6.1693.
  • Monetary incentives enhance processing in brain regions mediating top-down control of attention.Small DM, Gitelman D, Simmons K, Bloise SM, Parrish T, Mesulam MM. Monetary incentives enhance processing in brain regions mediating top-down control of attention. Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991) 2005, 15: 1855-65. PMID: 15746002, DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhi063.
  • Differential neural responses evoked by orthonasal versus retronasal odorant perception in humans.Small DM, Gerber JC, Mak YE, Hummel T. Differential neural responses evoked by orthonasal versus retronasal odorant perception in humans. Neuron 2005, 47: 593-605. PMID: 16102541, DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2005.07.022.
  • Gustatory agnosia.Small DM, Bernasconi N, Bernasconi A, Sziklas V, Jones-Gotman M. Gustatory agnosia. Neurology 2005, 64: 311-7. PMID: 15668430, DOI: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000149515.77718.35.
  • Experience-dependent neural integration of taste and smell in the human brain.Small DM, Voss J, Mak YE, Simmons KB, Parrish T, Gitelman D. Experience-dependent neural integration of taste and smell in the human brain. Journal Of Neurophysiology 2004, 92: 1892-903. PMID: 15102894, DOI: 10.1152/jn.00050.2004.
  • Crossmodal integration--insights from the chemical senses.Small DA. Crossmodal integration--insights from the chemical senses. Trends In Neurosciences 2004, 27: 120-3; discussion 123-4. PMID: 15046082, DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2004.01.002.
  • Feeding-induced dopamine release in dorsal striatum correlates with meal pleasantness ratings in healthy human volunteers.Small DM, Jones-Gotman M, Dagher A. Feeding-induced dopamine release in dorsal striatum correlates with meal pleasantness ratings in healthy human volunteers. NeuroImage 2003, 19: 1709-15. PMID: 12948725, DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(03)00253-2.
  • Dissociation of neural representation of intensity and affective valuation in human gustation.Small DM, Gregory MD, Mak YE, Gitelman D, Mesulam MM, Parrish T. Dissociation of neural representation of intensity and affective valuation in human gustation. Neuron 2003, 39: 701-11. PMID: 12925283, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(03)00467-7.
  • The posterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex mediate the anticipatory allocation of spatial attention.Small DM, Gitelman DR, Gregory MD, Nobre AC, Parrish TB, Mesulam MM. The posterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex mediate the anticipatory allocation of spatial attention. NeuroImage 2003, 18: 633-41. PMID: 12667840, DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(02)00012-5.
  • Toward an understanding of the brain substrates of reward in humans.Small DM. Toward an understanding of the brain substrates of reward in humans. Neuron 2002, 33: 668-71. PMID: 11879644, DOI: 10.1016/s0896-6273(02)00620-7.
  • Changes in taste intensity perception following anterior temporal lobe removal in humans.Small DM, Zatorre RJ, Jones-Gotman M. Changes in taste intensity perception following anterior temporal lobe removal in humans. Chemical Senses 2001, 26: 425-32. PMID: 11369677, DOI: 10.1093/chemse/26.4.425.
  • Increased intensity perception of aversive taste following right anteromedial temporal lobe removal in humans.Small DM, Zatorre RJ, Jones-Gotman M. Increased intensity perception of aversive taste following right anteromedial temporal lobe removal in humans. Brain : A Journal Of Neurology 2001, 124: 1566-75. PMID: 11459748, DOI: 10.1093/brain/124.8.1566.
  • Changes in brain activity related to eating chocolate: from pleasure to aversion.Small DM, Zatorre RJ, Dagher A, Evans AC, Jones-Gotman M. Changes in brain activity related to eating chocolate: from pleasure to aversion. Brain : A Journal Of Neurology 2001, 124: 1720-33. PMID: 11522575, DOI: 10.1093/brain/124.9.1720.
  • Human cortical gustatory areas: a review of functional neuroimaging data.Small DM, Zald DH, Jones-Gotman M, Zatorre RJ, Pardo JV, Frey S, Petrides M. Human cortical gustatory areas: a review of functional neuroimaging data. Neuroreport 1999, 10: 7-14. PMID: 10094124, DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199901180-00002.
  • Core Neuropsychological Measures for Obesity and Diabetes Trials: Initial Report.D'Ardenne K, Savage CR, Small D, Vainik U, Stoeckel LE. Core Neuropsychological Measures for Obesity and Diabetes Trials: Initial Report. Frontiers In Psychology 2020, 11: 554127. PMID: 33117225, PMCID: PMC7557362, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.554127.
  • Development of MacroPics: A novel food picture set to dissociate the effects of carbohydrate and fat on eating behaviors.Fromm S, Perszyk EE, Kanyamibwa A, Wall KM, Hutelin Z, Trinh J, Davis XS, Green BG, Flack KD, DiFeliceantonio A, Small DM. Development of MacroPics: A novel food picture set to dissociate the effects of carbohydrate and fat on eating behaviors. Appetite 2021, 159: 105051. PMID: 33242580, DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.105051.
  • 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.
  • Corrigendum: Core Neuropsychological Measures for Obesity and Diabetes Trials: Initial Report.D'Ardenne K, Savage CR, Small D, Vainik U, Stoeckel LE. Corrigendum: Core Neuropsychological Measures for Obesity and Diabetes Trials: Initial Report. Frontiers In Psychology 2020, 11: 612441. PMID: 33240187, PMCID: PMC7680884, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.612441.
  • Neuroendocrinology and brain imaging.Preissl H, Small D, Kullmann S. Neuroendocrinology and brain imaging. Journal Of Neuroendocrinology 2020, 32: e12927. PMID: 33373090, DOI: 10.1111/jne.12927.
  • Further Evidence that Habitual Consumption of Sucralose with, but Not without, Carbohydrate Alters Glucose Metabolism.Dalenberg JR, Denis R, Luquet S, Small DM. Further Evidence that Habitual Consumption of Sucralose with, but Not without, Carbohydrate Alters Glucose Metabolism. Cell Metabolism 2021, 33: 227-228. PMID: 33535095, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.01.006.
  • Post-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.
  • Tracking 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. 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.
  • 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 PMID: 33917347, PMCID: PMC8067354, DOI: 10.3390/nu13041203.
  • Dietary lipids as regulators of reward processes: multimodal integration matters.Berland C, Small DM, Luquet S, Gangarossa G. Dietary lipids as regulators of reward processes: multimodal integration matters. Trends In Endocrinology And Metabolism: TEM 2021, 32: 693-705. PMID: 34148784, DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.05.008.
  • Neuroimaging and modulation in obesity and diabetes research: 10th anniversary meeting.Laughlin M, Cooke B, Boutelle K, Savage CR, Kravitz A, Small D, Arvanitakis Z, Martin A, Stoeckel LE. Neuroimaging and modulation in obesity and diabetes research: 10th anniversary meeting. International Journal Of Obesity (2005) 2022, 46: 718-725. PMID: 34934178, PMCID: PMC8960390, DOI: 10.1038/s41366-021-01025-8.
  • Correction to: Neuroimaging and modulation in obesity and diabetes research: 10th anniversary meeting.Laughlin M, Cooke B, Boutelle K, Savage CR, Kravitz A, Small D, Arvanitakis Z, Martin A, Stoeckel LE. Correction to: Neuroimaging and modulation in obesity and diabetes research: 10th anniversary meeting. International Journal Of Obesity (2005) 2022, 46: 889. PMID: 35046495, PMCID: PMC8960406, DOI: 10.1038/s41366-022-01074-7.
  • Chronic 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.

Clinical Trials

ConditionsStudy Title
Obesity & Weight ControlYale Dietary Supplement and Weight Management Study
Mental Health & Behavioral Research; Obesity & Weight ControlThe Gut-brain Axis: a Novel Target for Treating Behavioral Alterations in Obesity (CIDO OEA)
Edit Profile