The Neuronal Encoding of Oral Fat by the Coefficient of Sliding Friction in the Cerebral Cortex and Amygdala

Cerebral Cortex
Edmund T RollsIan T Norton

Abstract

Fat in the diet contributes to the pleasant mouthfeel of many foods, but overconsumption may contribute to obesity. Here we analyze what properties of fat in the mouth are sensed, by analyzing the responses of neurons in the macaque insular taste cortex, and two areas to which it projects the orbitofrontal cortex where the pleasantness of fat is represented, and the amygdala. We discovered that the firing rate responses of these fat-responsive neurons are correlated with the coefficient of sliding friction (CSF) and not with viscosity which reflects food thickness. Other, not fat-sensitive, neurons encoded viscosity and not the CSF. Neuronal population analyses confirmed that fat-responsive neurons conveyed information about the CSF but not about viscosity. Conversely the viscosity-sensitive neuronal population conveyed information about viscosity but not about the CSF. This new understanding of the representation of oral fat in the cerebral cortex and amygdala opens the way for the systematic development of foods with the pleasant mouthfeel of fat, together with ideal nutritional content and has great potential to contribute to healthy eating and a healthy body weight.

References

Apr 1, 1990·Journal of Neurophysiology·S YaxleyZ J Sienkiewicz
Sep 1, 1986·Journal of Neurophysiology·T R ScottE T Rolls
Jan 1, 1972·Progress in the Chemistry of Fats and Other Lipids·D A Forss
Apr 1, 1997·The American Journal of Physiology·T A GilbertsonW T Monroe
Sep 30, 1998·Current Opinion in Neurobiology·T A Gilbertson
May 23, 2003·Journal of Neurophysiology·Justus V VerhagenMikiko Kadohisa
Mar 27, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Ivan E De Araujo, Edmund T Rolls
Apr 30, 2009·Annual Review of Nutrition·Richard D Mattes
Aug 18, 2009·Cerebral Cortex·Fabian GrabenhorstArun A d'Souza
Dec 3, 2010·The New England Journal of Medicine·Amy Berrington de GonzalezMichael J Thun
Aug 13, 2011·Bulletin of the World Health Organization·Ala Din AlwanDavid Stuckler
Sep 13, 2011·Progress in Neurobiology·Edmund T Rolls, Alessandro Treves
Sep 17, 2013·Human Brain Mapping·Fabian Grabenhorst, Edmund T Rolls
Nov 26, 2013·Progress in Lipid Research·Timothy A Gilbertson, Naim A Khan
Dec 18, 2013·Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·Gretchen Vannice, Heather Rasmussen
Apr 5, 2014·Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior·Edmund T Rolls
Mar 31, 2015·Progress in Neurobiology·Edmund T Rolls
May 6, 2016·Annual Review of Nutrition·Edmund T Rolls

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 6, 2019·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Cristina Llinares-Benadero, Víctor Borrell
Oct 11, 2019·Journal of Texture Studies·Edmund T Rolls
Apr 9, 2021·Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·Edmund T Rolls
Jun 23, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Fei-Yang HuangFabian Grabenhorst

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

CSF & Lymphatic System

This feed focuses on Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) and the lymphatic system. Discover the latest papers using imaging techniques to track CSF outflow into the lymphatic system in animal models.

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.

Basal Forebrain & Food Avoidance

Neurons in the basal forebrain play specific roles in regulating feeding. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to the basal forebrain and food avoidance.