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The brain is to blame for obesity

04.10.2012

"Obesity" of the brain can interfere with weight loss - such a conclusion was made by scientists. New research by Terry Davidson, director of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at American University, shows that diets that lead to weight gain - diets high in saturated fat and sugar - can cause changes in the brains of obese people. In turn, this provokes further excessive consumption of such products and turns weight loss into an even greater problem.

"It's a vicious cycle that may explain why it's so hard to overcome obesity," says Davidson, who is also a professor of psychology at AU. Davidson focuses his research on the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. In this particular study, Davidson and colleagues tested two groups of rats. One group had unlimited access to low-fat foods, while the other group had unlimited access to high-calorie foods with animal fats. The ability of rats to memorize and learn, depending on the work of the hippocampus, was previously tested on test tasks.

When both groups of rats faced the same challenges again, the rats on the high-calorie diet performed worse than their lean counterparts. The task, which depends on the activity of the hippocampus, was performed significantly worse. All the rats were injected with a dye that penetrated the barrier and the scientists could judge changes in the brain. When scientists examined the blood-brain barrier - the dense network of blood vessels that protect the brain - it turned out that in obese rats there are violations in it. At the same time, the blood-brain barrier in non-obese rats functioned normally.

The hippocampus, among other functions, is responsible for the suppression of memories. If Davidson's findings are extended to humans, it is possible that a high-fat, high-sugar diet affects the hippocampus' ability to suppress unwanted thoughts, such as eating a high-calorie food. This increases the likelihood that an obese person will not be able to stop at reasonable portions.

“I think there is a vicious cycle of obesity and cognitive impairment,” says Davidson. “The point is that as you overeat, your “brake system” becomes more and more polluted. And, unfortunately, it also affects suppression. and other thoughts and the quality of memorization". Davidson's results are consistent with other studies finding a link between midlife obesity and the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders.

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