which brain prefers the french fries?

anorexic and obese women's brains look differently, at least in their dopaminergic centers. dopamine is the "reward" drug of the brain, and anorexics may have more of it than normal women. obese women seem to have even less.

The findings support the possibility that dopamine binding might be inversely related to weight and eating with anorexia on one end, and obesity on the other end of the spectrum.

in addition to the benefits of clearer diagnosis, this indicates that we can tell who is prone to either malady early on. brain scans may be able to aid preventative counseling and help parents on the look-out for warning signs. scans could also help individuals become more aware of their proclivities and be proactive themselves.

there are benefits, to be sure, but in what ways could this impact individual responsibility? to the extent that these scans can be made accurate, knowing one's brain biology may alleviate any guilt felt by either stripe, and make each feel helpless and less inclined to improve. why fight biology, after all?

for those without the disorder, i wonder to what extent knowing one is prone to anorexia or obesity will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Labels: neuroscience