This event-related potential (ERP) study investigated neural correlates of cognitive reappraisal duringthe exposure to food cues. Thirty-three healthy, normal-weight women viewed images of high-caloricfood and non-food items after an overnight fast. The participants were instructed to either passively lookat the pictures, or to change (increase, decrease) the appetitive value of the food items.The P300 and the late positive potential (LPP) were higher across all conditions for food relative to non-food pictures. In the ‘increase condition’ the food images were rated as more appetizing and arousingthan during passive viewing which was accompanied by increased amplitudes of the P300 and LPP. Incontrast, the ‘watch condition’ and the ‘decrease condition’ did not differ with regard to appetite andarousal ratings as well as ERPs. Amplitudes of late positive potentials in the ‘decrease condition’ werepositively correlated with scores on eating disorder scales indicating bulimic tendencies.The ERP data show that the appetitive value of food cues can easily be enhanced via reappraisal but isdifficult to reduce, especially in women who display non-clinical forms of purging. The reduced ERP reac-tivity might constitute a risk factor for bulimia nervosa. Future longitudinal-prospective studies shouldfollow up on this aspect.

Cognitive reappraisal fails when attempting to reduce the appetitive value of food: An ERP study

SARLO, MICHELA;
2013

Abstract

This event-related potential (ERP) study investigated neural correlates of cognitive reappraisal duringthe exposure to food cues. Thirty-three healthy, normal-weight women viewed images of high-caloricfood and non-food items after an overnight fast. The participants were instructed to either passively lookat the pictures, or to change (increase, decrease) the appetitive value of the food items.The P300 and the late positive potential (LPP) were higher across all conditions for food relative to non-food pictures. In the ‘increase condition’ the food images were rated as more appetizing and arousingthan during passive viewing which was accompanied by increased amplitudes of the P300 and LPP. Incontrast, the ‘watch condition’ and the ‘decrease condition’ did not differ with regard to appetite andarousal ratings as well as ERPs. Amplitudes of late positive potentials in the ‘decrease condition’ werepositively correlated with scores on eating disorder scales indicating bulimic tendencies.The ERP data show that the appetitive value of food cues can easily be enhanced via reappraisal but isdifficult to reduce, especially in women who display non-clinical forms of purging. The reduced ERP reac-tivity might constitute a risk factor for bulimia nervosa. Future longitudinal-prospective studies shouldfollow up on this aspect.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11576/2673265
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