Reward mechanisms in patients suffering from obesity

In this 2-year research project, we investigate the psychological and cerebral underpinnings of food reward mechanisms in patients suffering from obesity. More specifically, we investigate 2 sub-components of food reward: i) the pleasure during food consumption (liking) and ii) efforts an individual is willing to invest to be delivered with food (wanting).
We present healthy and participants suffering from obesity with solutions (such as chocolate milkshakes) while their brain activity is recorded.
To do so, we use a gustometer, a device allowing the delivery of liquids in an extremely precise fashion, which is fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging)-compatible.
We hope to better understand how food reward mechanisms differ between healthy and individuals suffering from obesity, but also how they differ between individuals suffering from obesity following weight loss.