![]() They found that a mouthful of brownie triggered a spike of dopamine almost identical to the spike caused by the drug, while the water had no noticeable effect. As the light hit the optic nerve, it triggered electrical signals that could be measured by the ERG, indicating how much dopamine was being released. ![]() Nasser and collaborators at the New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center flashed a light into the eyes of subjects who had consumed one of three different substances: water, chocolate brownies, or the drug methylphenidate (Ritalin), which is known to increase dopamine levels in the brain. ![]() "Many retinal experts told me that using ERG in this way probably wouldn't work," she said, but when she connected the conclusions of several other studies involving dopamine in both the brain and eye, "it just seemed logical." But until now, those two systems were thought to be unrelated, said Nasser. Scientists already knew that light activates dopamine neurons in the retina, and that consuming sugar and fat releases dopamine in the so-called mid-brain system. "Electroretinography is actually a very old clinical procedure that's much simpler it's something you could get done at the eye doctor's office." "I've always wanted to be able to measure dopamine response to food, but other methodologies are either extremely invasive-like a spinal tap-or extremely expensive, like a PET scan, which can cost $2,000 or more a session," Nasser said. If chocolate brownies make your eyes light up, there's a chemical reason: Rich, sugary treats trigger a surge of dopamine, the brain hormone associated with pleasure and addiction, that can be measured in the retina.Ī new study published in the journal Obesity used a novel method- electroretinography (ERG), a tool normally used by ophthalmologists to assess retinal damage-to examine what makes some foods so irresistible to some people.ĭrexel University nutritionist Jennifer Nasser came up with the groundbreaking idea of using ERG to assess the connection between food and dopamine.Īfter reading about the use of ERG in studies of cocaine addicts, Nasser was struck by the idea that it could also be used in the context of obesity research.
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