Modifiable Predictors of Neural Vulnerabilities for Obesity

The purpose of this study is to examine patterns of neural activation in a priori selected brain regions associated with reward process during anticipation and delivery of appetizing food stimuli (milkshake sips) among young adults.

This observational trial seeks to examine neural activation patterns in a food reward sensitivity task. The study uses the "milkshake" MRI task to assess individual food reward sensitivity in a sample of young adult participants. Participants are presented with a series of trials in which a visual cue is provided (either a glass of milkshake or water), followed by delivery of a sip of the corresponding liquid. Activation in a priori regions associated with reward processing is measured via blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal, both in response to the cue and actual delivery of the sip. Explicating patterns of reward processing for appetizing food stimuli holds potential to inform understanding of the neural underpinnings of obesity risk.