Changing nutrition, changing brain, changing obesity (C07)

Food intake primarily serves to maintain the body´s energy supply. However, it also changes various biomedical processes, such as circulating concentrations of large neutral amino acids (LNAA). Specifically, it has been shown that the macronutrient composition of food modulates plasma tyrosin levels. Tyrosin is precursor of brain neurotransmitter dopamine that has been shown to play a key role in food intake. Here, we aim to investigate the link between macronutrient composition and food-approach behaviour in humans. Specifically, we tackle this by combining experimental food intervention with neuroimaging and metabolic profiling. Our studies will unveil the mechanisms of how specific nutrition impacts on human behaviour and provide a valuable insight into nutrition driven interventions.