Behavioral Sciences

Article Behavioral Sciences

Unraveling the social hierarchy: Exploring behavioral and neural dynamics in shaping inhibitory control

Soroush Fazel, Abdol-Hossein Vahabie, Farhad Farkhondeh Tale Navi, Soomaayeh Heysieattalab

Summary: Social rank can influence inhibitory control, with high-rank individuals requiring it to regulate dominant behavior and low-rank individuals requiring it to regulate emotional reactions or avoid submissive behaviors. Social status can also affect the neural mechanisms underlying inhibitory control, leading to differences in abilities and strategies based on perceived rank.

BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

A neuroergonomics approach to driver's cooperation with Lane Departure Warning Systems

Damien Schnebelen, Emanuelle Reynaud, Marie Claude Ouimet, Perrine Seguin, Jordan Navarro

Summary: This study combines fMRI and driving simulation to investigate the neural mechanisms of cooperation between lane departure warning systems (LDWS) and drivers. The results show that immediately after receiving a warning, specific brain areas related to alertness, motor actions and planning, and attentional redirection are activated. There were no differences in these brain areas between experienced and novice drivers, but prior driving experience influenced the number of lane departures.

BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Negative association between DNA methylation in brain-derived neurotrophic factor exon VI and left superior parietal gyrification in major depressive disorder

Lei Li, Tianyu Wang, Fan Li, Yingying Yue, Yingying Yin, Suzhen Chen, Zhenghua Hou, Zhi Xu, Youyong Kong, Yonggui Yuan

Summary: The study found significantly decreased cortical thickness in certain areas of the brain and decreased local gyrification index in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients. The associations between DNA methylation in BDNF exon VI and gyrification index were significantly different between MDD patients and controls. BDNF exon VI methylation was negatively associated with cortical gyrification reduction in MDD patients, indicating a potential epigenetic marker.

BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Sex-specific impulsivity, but not other facets of executive function, predicts fat and sugar intake two-years later amongst adolescents with a healthy weight: Findings from the ABCD study

Shana Adise, Kerri N. Boutelle, Panteha Hayati Rezvan, Eric Kan, Kyung E. Rhee, Michael I. Goran, Elizabeth R. Sowell

Summary: This study investigated the relationship between executive functions and cognition during adolescence, and the intake of fat and sugar two years later. The study found that higher impulsivity and reward-seeking behaviors were related to greater fat and sugar intake in males, while higher negative urgency and BMI were related to greater intake in both sexes. These findings suggest that individuals with certain traits may be more at risk for weight gain due to overconsumption of unhealthy foods.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Validation of the adult eating behavior questionnaire in a Norwegian sample of adolescents

Oda Bjorklund, Lars Wichstrom, Clare Llewellyn, Silje Steinsbekk

Summary: This study tests the psychometric properties of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) in a sample of 14-year-olds and examines its construct validity using the parent-reported Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ). The results show that a 7-factor solution of the AEBQ without the Hunger scale is a better fitting model, and there are small-to-moderate correlations between the AEBQ and CEBQ scales.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

You eye what you eat: BMI, consumption patterns, and dieting status predict temporal attentional bias to food-associated images

Briana L. Kennedy, Andrew M. Camara, Dominic M. D. Tran

Summary: This study investigated the relationship between obesity, overconsumption, and oversensitivity to rewards, and how it affects attentional biases towards food-related stimuli. The results showed that individuals with higher BMI had lower attentional priority for food and food logos, while increased consumption of HFHS foods and dieting predicted increased attentional priority for food and food logo images.

APPETITE (2024)

Review Psychology, Biological

Gustatory and olfactory shifts during pregnancy and the postpartum period: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Elizabeth Agbor Epse Muluh, Jessica C. McCormack, Yunfan Mo, Michael Garratt, Mei Peng

Summary: This PROSPERO pre-registered systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the olfactory and gustatory changes in pregnant individuals. The meta-analysis revealed that pregnant individuals performed poorer in odour identification, rated olfactory stimuli to be more intense during the second and third trimester, and had increased pleasantness for sweet taste in the first trimester. No major difference was observed in terms of gustatory functions between pregnant and non-pregnant subjects.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Article Psychology, Biological

Sleep/wake regularity and cognition in college students using antidepressants

Gabriel R. Gilmore, Jeff Dyche

Summary: This study examined sleep, sleep/wake regularity, and cognition in college students diagnosed with depression and using serotonergic antidepressants, comparing them to those without a depression diagnosis. The results showed that students using antidepressants had slightly longer wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, but these differences were likely not noticed by the participants. There were no differences in sleep regularity or cognition between the two groups.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Review Psychology, Biological

Effect of odor stimulations on physical activity: A systematic review

Mathieu Cournoyer, Alice Maldera, Alexandre-Charles Gauthier, Fabien Dal Maso, Marie-Eve Mathieu

Summary: This article provides a comprehensive view of the literature on the effect of different odors on physical activity through a systematic review. It was found that pleasant odors have a positive impact on participants' physical activity. However, better methodological consistency is needed in studies to produce more meaningful results.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Fibre4life: Investigating older adults dietary fibre preferences and the role of targeted educational materials on modulating future dietary fibre intake

Victoria Norton, Julie A. Lovegrove, Marcus Tindall, Julia Rodriguez Garcia, Stella Lignou

Summary: The UK's aging population requires promotion of balanced nutrition, with a particular focus on increasing dietary fiber intake. Surveys involving older adults showed their willingness to learn about dietary fiber and the need for accessible information. Educational materials proved effective in engaging older adults and were perceived as useful. A holistic approach, involving support from various sources, can aid in improving dietary fiber consumption and overall health outcomes among older adults.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Psychology, Biological

High-protein diet with immediate post-exercise protein drink: Impact on appetite in middle-aged obesity

Kuei-Yu Chien, Yun-Ju Chen, Kuo-Jen Hsu, Chiao-Nan Chen

Summary: This study investigated the effects of a high-protein diet and high-intensity interval training on appetite and weight loss in obese middle-aged individuals. The results showed that consuming a high-protein drink and following a high-protein diet after exercise can reduce post-exercise appetite and the frequency of late-night snacking.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Review Psychology, Biological

Taking biological rhythms into account: From study design to results reporting

Melissa Alves Braga Oliveira, Ana Carolina Odebrecht Vergne de Abreu, Debora Barroggi Constantino, Andre C. Tonon, Antoni Diez-Noguera, Fernanda Gaspar Amaral, Maria Paz Hidalgo

Summary: Biological processes in living organisms exhibit strong rhythmicity and are regulated by internal timing systems. Understanding the influence of biological rhythms is crucial for experimental design and reporting.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Changing the default order of food items in an online grocery store may nudge healthier food choices

Eva Valencic, Emma Beckett, Clare E. Collins, Barbara Korousic Seljak, Tamara Bucher

Summary: Restructuring food environments, such as online grocery stores, has the potential to promote healthier food choices. This study investigated whether repositioning foods within an experimental online grocery store can nudge consumers towards healthier options. The results showed that presenting high-fiber products and categories higher up on the website increased the fiber content of customers' purchases, with no impact on affordability. About half of the participants expressed interest in sorting foods based on specific nutrient criteria when shopping online.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Psychology, Biological

An overlooked relationship in recovery from substance use disorders: Associations between body mass index and negative emotional states

Daniel A. R. Cabral, Maria L. M. Rego, Eduardo B. Fontes, Vagner D. O. Tavares

Summary: This study examined the association between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES) in men with substance use disorders (SUD) undergoing treatment. The findings showed a positive correlation between BMI and stress, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that reducing body fat accumulation may contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

The underlying role of food guilt in adolescent food choice: A potential conceptual model for adolescent food choice negotiations under circumstances of conscious internal conflict

Aisling N. Daly, John M. Kearney, Elizabeth J. O'Sullivan

Summary: This research aims to understand the factors influencing food choices and the mental negotiations occurring in food-based decisions among Irish adolescents. Social concerns and food guilt play a significant role in adolescent food choice. The study develops a conceptual model called the "Food Choice Funnel" to better understand and support healthy food choices among adolescents.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Are cooks more disgust sensitive? Preliminary examination of the food preparation hypothesis

Michal Mikolaj Stefanczyk, Aleksandra Zielinska

Summary: According to the food preparation hypothesis, differences in disgust sensitivity between males and females may be due to their different roles in ancestral times. This study found that individuals professionally engaged in food preparation displayed higher levels of food-related disgust sensitivity, while time spent on cooking was not associated with disgust sensitivity. The study also observed sex differences and found that vegetarians had lower disgust sensitivity than meat-eaters.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Psychology, Biological

Protection of p-Coumaric acid against chronic stress-induced neurobehavioral deficits in mice via activating the PKA-CREB-BDNF pathway

Yanqun Cao, Hao Chen, Yinna Tan, Xu-Dong Yu, Chuli Xiao, Yin Li, James Reilly, Zhiming He, Xinhua Shu

Summary: There is evidence to suggest that chronic stress impacts neurochemical homeostasis and contributes to mental disorders. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural compound found in vegetables and fruits, against stress-associated mental disorders. The findings suggest that p-CA could alleviate cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior in mice exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS) by regulating the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.

PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Is being anti-vegan a distinct dietarian identity? An investigation with omnivores, vegans, and self-identified anti-vegans

Rebecca Gregson, Jared Piazza, Heather Shaw

Summary: Recent scholarship has identified a group of individuals who self-identify as anti-vegan, and they have distinct dietarian identities and ideological profiles. Anti-vegans show higher levels of commitment to their dietary patterns compared to omnivores, and they also score higher on various ideological measures.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Reasons for meal termination, eating frequency, and typical meal context differ between persons with and without a spinal cord injury

Gary J. Farkas, Paige M. Cunningham, Alicia M. Sneij, John E. Hayes, Mark S. Nash, Arthur S. Berg, David R. Gater, Barbara J. Rolls

Summary: Overeating associated with neurogenic obesity after spinal cord injury (SCI) may be related to how persons with SCI experience satiation, their eating frequency, and the context in which they eat their meals. Those with SCI rely less on physiological satiation cues for meal termination and instead rely more on hedonic cues. There are differences in meal contexts and eating frequency between SCI individuals and controls, with SCI individuals consuming fewer meals but having a higher overall eating frequency due to increased snacking. These factors likely contribute to overeating associated with neurogenic obesity after SCI.

APPETITE (2024)

Article Behavioral Sciences

Food fussiness is associated with family environmental factors in 1-3-year-old children: A large-scale cross-sectional study

Hugues Piloquet, Benoit Berge, Pascal Maigret, Veronique Hospital

Summary: This study aimed to explore the effects of environmental factors on eating behavior and food intake in toddlers. The results showed that food fussiness was more common in older children, children conceived with medical assistance, children exposed to distractions during meals, rewarded by parents to finish meals, free to eat at will, and those who ate only occasionally with the whole family. Unsatisfactory dietary diversification was not significantly associated with any variable.

APPETITE (2024)