Working memory gating in obesity: Insights from a case-control fMRI study

Nadine Herzog*, Hendrik Hartmann, Lieneke K. Janssen, Maria Waltmann, Sean J. Fallon, Lorenz Deserno, Annette Horstmann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Computational models and neurophysiological data propose that a ‘gating mechanism’ coordinates distractor-resistant maintenance and flexible updating of working memory contents: While maintenance of information is mainly implemented in the prefrontal cortex, updating of information is signaled by phasic increases in dopamine in the striatum. Previous literature demonstrates structural and functional alterations in these brain areas, as well as differential dopamine transmission among individuals with obesity, suggesting potential impairments in these processes. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an observational case-control fMRI study, dividing participants into groups with and without obesity based on their BMI. We probed maintenance and updating of working memory contents using a modified delayed match to sample task and investigated the effects of SNPs related to the dopaminergic system. While the task elicited the anticipated brain responses, our findings revealed no evidence for group differences in these two processes, neither at the neural level nor behaviorally. However, depending on Taq1A genotype, which affects dopamine receptor density in the striatum, participants with obesity performed worse on the task. In conclusion, this study does not support the existence of overall obesity-related differences in working memory gating. Instead, we propose that potentially subtle alterations may manifest specifically in individuals with a ‘vulnerable’ genotype.

Original languageEnglish
Article number107179
JournalAppetite
Volume195
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Keywords

  • Dopamine
  • Maintenance
  • Obesity
  • Taq1A
  • Updating
  • Working memory gating

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Working memory gating in obesity: Insights from a case-control fMRI study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this