Effect of mCPP on cognitive controle, appetite, and neural responses
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of oral administration of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) on cognitive processes, appetite, and related neural responses in healthy lean and obese participants.
IRAS ID
220653
Contact name
Maartje Spetter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
It has been agreed upon that eating behaviour is affected by metabolic signals, e.g. serotonin, insulin and ghrelin, and influenced by food reward processes (Berthoud 2011). But the idea that these mechanisms are modulated via higher cognitive processes such as inhibitory control, attention, and memory is a relatively new domain to be explored. In humans, eating behaviour seems to be a more complex system; which also involves habits, long-term goals, and social interaction. Cognitive processes appear to play an important role in food consumption. Previous studies reported the anorectic effect of the drugs meta-chloriphenylpiperazine (mCPP), a 5-HT2C receptor agonist. Additionally mCPP has been shown to reduce appetite, increase satiety, and enhance memory for emotional material (word recall) and recognition memory (Thomas et al 2015). Preliminary results suggest that mCPP decreased intake of palatable snacks (hedonic eating) and when viewing food pictures appetite and reward related neural responses appear to be modulated by mCPP administration (Thomas et al in preparation). However the interaction between the drugs, neural responses and behaviour are still not known, and the effects of overweight on these responses is a very interesting question in relation to anti-obesity drug development.
In the proposed study we want to investigate the effect of oral administrating mCPP, on neural responses and networks in relation to food reward, cognitive control and working memory and its impact on subsequent snack consumption, food and emotion related memory, and mood and appetite ratings, and additionally the interplay between all these processes in both lean and obese individuals. Participants will get an mCPP dose (30mg) and a placebo on different occasion, where after we assess the neural activation (with fMRI) in response to food stimuli, inhibition tasks, and memory tests. This will be related to eating behaviour, memory performance, and mood and appetite ratings.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0273
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion