Neuroadaptive processes associated with palatable food intake: present data and future directions

- Diet and adiposity influence brain response to food.
- Exposure to foods commonly consumed may impact brain response.
- Neuroadaptations to food intake may create risk factors for future overeating.
- Application of computational neuroscience can offer insight into eating behavior.

Ingestive behavior is a complex decision-making process involving the integration of homeostatic and hedonic systems. Human neuroimaging studies have provided considerable insight into aspects of hedonically-motivated food intake. Here, we review reports that examine brain response patterns to food stimuli (food cues and during food intake) that vary by weight status, habitual ingestive behavior, and weight change, as well as investigations that use neuroimaging techniques to predict food intake. Secondly, we discuss the application of decision-making theory stemming from computational neuroscience to better understand the basis of habit formation in the context of food intake. This framework may provide insight into the neuroadaptive processes that drive the transition from infrequent, moderate intake of energy-dense foods to habitual overconsumption.