Modulating feeding behavior in obesity: from brain lesions to non-invasive brain stimulation targets

Descripción del proyecto

Un estudio más detallado sobre la conexión cerebro-intestino en la obesidad

La alteración de los hábitos alimentarios puede afectar de forma negativa a la salud física y mental, lo cual puede conllevar la aparición de obesidad. La obesidad es un problema sanitario mundial de primer orden, pero los tratamientos actuales suelen quedarse cortos a largo plazo. Ello destaca la necesidad de nuevas opciones terapéuticas. Teniendo esto en cuenta, el proyecto FoodConnect, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, tiene por objeto abordar esta necesidad estudiando cómo se comunican el cerebro y el intestino a fin de influir en el comportamiento alimentario. Los investigadores emplearán técnicas de neuroimagen para examinar la relación entre las lesiones cerebrales y los cambios en los hábitos alimentarios. Gracias a la identificación de regiones cerebrales específicas para su estimulación magnética transcraneal dirigida, el equipo del proyecto se propone desarrollar estrategias que ayuden a modular el comportamiento alimentario en personas obesas y mejorar su salud.

Objetivo

Altered feeding behaviors impair physical and psychosocial health and may lead to overweight or obesity. Obesity is a major global health challenge but current treatments are either ineffective in the long-term or carry important risks. Hence, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. The main ERC StG aims to explore the neural basis of eating patterns by exploring post-ingestive reinforcement of food-seeking behavior. In that context, we are studying the contribution of gut-brain communication towards activity in brain circuits controlling feeding behavior.
Another strategy to clarify the neuroanatomy and neural correlates underlying dysfunctional human behaviors has been to study their occurrence when associated with a brain insult. We have used this approach for neuropsychiatric disorders, and believe it may also be used for feeding behavior. Indeed, changes in weight regulation concurrent with brain lesions have been described, raising the question of whether such lesions follow a particular distribution in the brain or impact specific functional networks. Several neuroimaging analysis methods can be used to explore if specific brain areas and/or connectivity networks are associated with specific lesional syndromes. In addition, these methods have also been proposed to offer the opportunity for development of novel strategies for therapeutic brain stimulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
In this project, we aim to identify TMS targets that potentially modulate feeding behavior, supported by lesion topography and/or connectivity networks involving lesions associated with changes in feeding behavior and weight regulation. We will then conduct a TMS protocol targeting the identified regions to modulate feeding behavior in patients with obesity. We are convinced that FoodConnect will contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity, and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for such a highly prevalent and socially impactful condition.