Abstract
Modulation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity using non-invasive brain stimulation has been shown to reduce food craving as well as food consumption. Using a preregistered design, we examined whether bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the DLPFC could reduce food craving and consumption in healthy participants when administered alongside the cognitive target of inhibitory control training. Participants (N = 172) received either active or sham tDCS (2 mA; anode F4, cathode F3) while completing a food-related Go/No-Go task. State food craving, ad-lib food consumption and response inhibition were evaluated. Compared with sham stimulation, we found no evidence for an effect of active tDCS on any of these outcome measures in a predominantly female sample. Our findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of single-session tDCS on food craving and consumption. Consideration of individual differences, improvements in tDCS protocols and multi-session testing are discussed.
Highlights
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods account for less than 30% of the average UK diet, with ultra-processed foods contributing more& 2019 The Authors
There were no significant differences in gender ratio (x21 1⁄4 0:04, p 1⁄4 0.837, f 1⁄4 0.02, BJZS 1⁄4 0.16), age, body mass index (BMI), dietary restraint, hunger, fullness, desire to eat, positive affect, negative affect, total craving score, craving subscales or hours since food
The aim of this study was to investigate whether the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), alongside inhibition training, could reduce food consumption and food craving
Summary
Unprocessed or minimally processed foods account for less than 30% of the average UK diet, with ultra-processed foods contributing more& 2019 The Authors. It has been noted that this rise in food consumption is often in the absence of hunger and is instead driven by factors unrelated to an individual’s physiological requirements, such as pleasure [5]. This desire to consume food is referred to as hedonic hunger, and is satisfied by the consumption of these energy- and calorie-dense foods [5]. Hedonic hunger can manifest as a preoccupation with constant thoughts surrounding food, resulting in persistent cravings [6] It is these cravings—which manifest as a strong desire to consume a specific food—that can result in the overconsumption of food regardless of caloric requirement [7]. The extent to which hedonic factors influence eating behaviour varies widely across individuals; for some, healthy eating remains a constant challenge, whereas others appear able to resist temptation and maintain a healthy diet
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