Past areas of research included the development of animal models of binge-eating (e.g., Stress + Dieting model) and models showing the independence of binge-eating and obesity (e.g., Binge-eating Prone vs. Resistant or “BEP/BER” model). Drug, HPLC, and RIA studies implicated sensitization of mu-opioid receptors, dysregulation of mesolimibic monoamine release, and increased cortisol as mechanisms behind binge-eating. Other systems studied are the role of central PYY and the melanocortin system in eating behavior. Novel behavioral methods included use or increasing levels of foot shock to test the motivation of rats for palatable food and a Pavlovian model of conditioned overeating.
Dr. Boggiano’s animal models of binge-eating and obesity are being used in academic and industry labs to gain a better understanding of the physiology of binge-eating disorders and obesity and to test the efficacy of new drugs for these conditions. Other research involved the use of Ansel Key’s famous WWII Minnesota Starvation Experiment surveys in modern-day individuals to assess the role of dieting in binge-eating and chaotic eating behaviors such as food concocting.
Her current research is focused solely on human subjects and includes the development, validation, and testing of a novel scale to assess motives behind eating highly palatable food (the Palatable Eating Motives Scale or “PEMS”) in adolescents, teens, college students, and weight-loss seeking adults. The PEMS should personalize and hence improve treatments for obesity and binge-eating.
Other current research involves testing the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to reduce food cravings and binge-eating traits in humans. Future studies will aim to identify the neural substrates of palatable-food intake for distinct motives and the effect of tDCS on eating behavior. A second aim will involve designing intervention studies using the PEMS and tDCS to treat obesity and binge eating.
Psychobiology, motivation, eating disorders and obesity
