Decreased Memory Suppression Ability in Restrained Eaters on Food Information—Evidence from ERP Experiment

TL;DR

This study shows that people who restrict their eating have trouble suppressing food-related memories, which could help explain unhealthy eating behaviors.

Contribution

The study reveals new neural mechanisms linking restrained eating and impaired food-memory suppression in healthy-weight individuals.

Findings

Restrained eaters showed reduced memory control for both high- and low-calorie food cues.

ERPs and theta oscillations revealed distinct neural processing differences in restrained eaters.

Beta oscillations reflected variations in food-cue processing between restrained and non-restrained eaters.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Food-related memory influences appetite regulation, with memory inhibition potentially reducing cravings. While obesity is linked to inhibitory deficits, how restrained eating affects memory suppression in healthy-weight individuals remains unclear. This study examined the cognitive and neural mechanisms of food-memory suppression in young women. Methods: Forty-two female participants completed a think/no-think task with high-/low-calorie food cues while an EEG was recorded. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were assessed and time–frequency analyses (theta/beta oscillations) were performed. Results: Restrained eaters showed reduced memory control for both food types. The ERP analysis revealed significant N200 amplitude differences between think/no-think conditions (p = 0.03) and a significant interaction between food calories and think/no-think conditions (p = 0.032). Theta oscillations differed by group, food calories, and conditions (p = 0.038), while beta oscillations reflected food-cue processing variations. Conclusions: In conclusion, restrained eaters exhibit distinct neural processing and attenuated food-memory suppression. These results elucidate the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying dietary behavior, suggesting that targeted interventions for maladaptive eating could strengthen memory inhibition.

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