Abstract
The neural mechanisms underlying subjective responses to meal ingestion remain incompletely understood. We previously showed in healthy men an increase in thalamocortical, and a decrease in insular-cortical connectivity in response to a palatable meal. As sex is increasingly recognized as an important biological variable, we aimed to evaluate sex differences and commonalities in the impact of a well-liked meal on thalamic and anterior insular connectivity in healthy individuals. Participants (20 women and 20 age-matched men) underwent resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (rsMRI) before and after ingesting a palatable meal. In general, the insula showed extensive postprandial reductions in connectivity with sensorimotor and prefrontal cortices, while the thalamus showed increases in connectivity with insular, frontal, and occipital cortices, in both women and men. However, reductions in insular connectivity were more prominent in men, and were related to changes in meal-related sensations (satiety and digestive well-being) in men only. In contrast, increases in thalamic connectivity were more prominent in women, and were related to changes in satiety and digestive well-being in women only. These results suggest that brain imaging may provide objective and sex-specific biomarkers of the subjective feelings associated with meal ingestion.
Highlights
IntroductionConsumption of a meal induces a sequence of transient sensations before and during ingestion (e.g., anticipatory reward, gustation) as well as longer-lasting postprandial sensations
Consumption of a meal induces a sequence of transient sensations before and during ingestion as well as longer-lasting postprandial sensations
We previously reported the results of a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging study examining the impact of a palatable meal on thalamic and insular brain networks in healthy men [6]
Summary
Consumption of a meal induces a sequence of transient sensations before and during ingestion (e.g., anticipatory reward, gustation) as well as longer-lasting postprandial sensations. The postprandial experience involves homeostatic sensations (e.g., satiety) and hedonic sensations (e.g., digestive well-being), which are independently modulated by various conditioning factors [1]; for instance, more likable meals induce lower homeostatic sensations but stronger hedonic sensations [2]. The neural mechanisms underlying the postprandial experience remain incompletely understood [3]. We previously reported the results of a resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsMRI) study examining the impact of a palatable meal on thalamic and insular brain networks in healthy men [6]. In that study, meal-induced decreases in insular-anterior cingulate cortical (ACC) connectivity were related to more pronounced responses in self-reported satiety and digestive well-being
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
