Conscious and Unconscious Mechanisms in the Emotional Brain Underlying Difficulties to Stop Overeating, Drinking and/or Using Drugs: Challenges and New Treatment Perspectives for Obesity and Addiction

Source:

Cunha PJ (2014) Conscious and Unconscious Mechanisms in the Emotional Brain Underlying Difficulties to Stop Overeating, Drinking and/or Using Drugs: Challenges and New Treatment Perspectives for Obesity and Addiction. J Addict Med Ther 2(1): 1007.

ABSTRACT

Recent data from neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and experimental research suggest that obesity and addiction share common neurocognitive endophenotypes. The objective of this article was to review the main common neurobiological basis of obesity and addiction, investigating how evidence-based translational neuroscience would explain conscious and unconscious mechanisms in emotional brain underlying difficulties to stop overeating, drinking and/or using drugs. Based on this, we aimed to delineate new possible strategies for the treatment of these very similar conditions. In general, studies have shown that obesity and addiction are associated with brain dopaminergic (DA) circuitry dysfunction and deficits in executive functioning/decision making. Both implicit and explicit memory mechanisms have been implicated in addiction and obesity, suggesting a prominent role of unconscious (implicit) mechanisms in the perpetuation of both chronic pathological conditions. Results on traditional pharmacotherapy methods have been limited, so here we argue that an integrative approach combining psychotherapy and neurorehabilitation could be promising for the treatment of these complex conditions.