Development of new behavioral systems for investigating the mechanism of pleasure in food eating

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K19749
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 59:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: Mizoguchi Hiroyuki 名古屋大学, 医学部附属病院, 准教授 (70402568)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 食行動 / 喜び / 神経回路

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to establish a new system for evaluating pleasure in response to food rewards and eating behavior, and to investigate the neural circuits in the brain related to pleasure and eating behavior. We were able to extract the ultrasonic vocalizations made when receiving rewards using ultrasonic vocalization device. We also confirmed that neural activity in the brain can be measured using biosensors. Unfortunately, we have not yet established a stable method for facial expression analysis, so we will proceed with the preparation of a head-fixed eating behavior measurement device. Furthermore, we found that the orexin release changes significantly during reward acquisition. Since some reactions were observed even in control animals, it will be necessary to investigate the cause.

Free Research Field

神経精神薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

2年という研究期間において、報酬獲得時の超音波発声を抽出することができた。また、バイオセンサーにより、報酬獲得時の神経伝達物質やペプチド遊離反応をリアルタイムに測定できることに成功し、超音波測定と脳内神経活動との同期に成功した。残念ながら、表情解析との同期までは至っていないが、少なくとも、食がもたらす喜びや行動を評価することが可能であり、リアルタイムな変化を抽出することに成功したことは、学術的意義が大きい。