Repetitive electric brain stimulation reduces food intake in humans

Background: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays an important role in appetite and food intake regulation.Objective: Because previous data revealed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the DLPFC reduces food cravings, we hypothesized that repetitive electric stimulation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of clinical nutrition 2014-10, Vol.100 (4), p.1003-1009
Main Authors: Jauch-Chara, Kamila, Kistenmacher, Alina, Herzog, Nina, Schwarz, Marianka, Schweiger, Ulrich, Oltmanns, Kerstin M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Appetite
Appetite - physiology
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Brain
clinical nutrition
clinical trials
Comparative analysis
cortex
craving
Cross-Over Studies
Diet
Electric Stimulation Therapy - adverse effects
Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods
Energy Intake
Follow-Up Studies
food intake
Humans
Male
men
Neuropsychology
Prefrontal Cortex - physiology
Single-Blind Method
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Background: The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays an important role in appetite and food intake regulation.Objective: Because previous data revealed that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the DLPFC reduces food cravings, we hypothesized that repetitive electric stimulation of the right DLPFC would lower food intake behavior in humans.Design: In a single-blind, code-based, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, randomized crossover experiment, 14 healthy young men with body mass index (in kg/m2) from 20 to 25 were examined during 8 d of daily tDCS or a sham stimulation. After tDCS or sham stimulation on the first and the last day of both experimental conditions, participants consumed food ad libitum from a standardized test buffet.Results: One week of daily anodal tDCS reduced overall caloric intake by 14% in comparison with sham stimulation. Moreover, repetitive tDCS diminished self-reported appetite scores.Conclusion: Our study implies that the application of anodal direct currents to the right DLPFC represents a promising option for reducing both caloric intake and appetite in humans. This trial was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (www.germanctr.de) as DRKS00005811.
ISSN:0002-9165
1938-3207
DOI:10.3945/ajcn.113.075481