Brain electrical activity during food presentation in obese binge-eating women.

Binge-eating (BE) subjects have shown altered brain activity at frontal regions during food presentation. The aim of this study was to examine the frontal brain electrical activity in obese BE women (n = 12) and in obese women without BE (non-BE, n = 13). Brain electrical activity was measured using a quantitative electroencephalography during a resting state (eyes-closed) and when the subjects focused (eyes-open) their attention on a picture of a landscape (control experiment) or on a meal (food experiment).

Treatment improves serotonin transporter binding and reduces binge eating.

Rationale: Serotonin (5-HT) is involved in the control of eating behaviour by inhibiting food intake. Obese women with binge-eating disorder (OB-BED) were recently found to have reduced 5-HT transporter binding.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a successful treatment on 5-HT transporters in OB-BED.