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Grant Details

Grant Number: 5R01CA211224-05 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator: Berkman, Elliot
Organization: University Of Oregon
Project Title: Devaluing Energy-Dense Foods for Cancer Control: Translational Neuroscience
Fiscal Year: 2021


Abstract

7. Abstract Obesity and intake of certain foods increases cancer risk, but the most common treatment (behavioral weight loss programs) rarely produces lasting weight loss and eating behavior change, apparently because caloric restriction increases the reward value of food and prompts energy-sparing adaptations. Interventions that reduce the implicit valuation of cancer-risk foods (e.g., red meats, refined sugar) may be more effective. Emerging data suggest that behavioral response training and cognitive reappraisal training reduce valuation of such foods, which leads to decrease intake of these foods and weight loss. Internalized incentive value is reflected in a ventromedial prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex valuation system (“vmPFC”), which encodes the implicit reward value of food and is central to a reinforcement cycle that perpetuates unhealthy eating. Thus, the vmPFC valuation system is a promising target for intervention because changes to the system might disrupt the unhealthy reinforcement cycle. Interestingly, various interventions influence the vmPFC through distinct pathways. Behavioral training alters motor input to valuation regions, whereas cognitive training relies on lateral prefrontal “top-down” regions. The proposed translational neuroscience experiment will compare the efficacy with which two novel treatments cause lasting change in food valuation, and whether a composite of theory-based baseline individual differences in relevant processes (such as response tendencies and cognitive styles) moderate treatment effects. We will randomize 300 overweight/obese adults who are at risk for eating- and obesity-related cancers to behavioral response training toward healthy foods and away from cancer-risk foods, a cognitive reappraisal intervention focused on cancer-risk foods, or non–food inhibitory control training. Aim 1 compares the efficacy and mechanisms of action of these two interventions to reduce valuation of cancer-risk foods relative to the active control condition, using neural, behavioral, self-report, and physiological measures of the process and outcomes. Aim 2 is to establish the temporal pattern and durability of the effects across time ; food intake and habits , body fat, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio will be measured pre, post, and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Aim 3 uses machine learning to build and validate a low-cost, easy-to-administer composite that predicts whether and for how long an individual is likely to respond to intervention, and to which treatment. We hypothesize that self-report measures specifically related to valuation (e.g., willingness-to-pay) and to intervention-specific pathways to valuation (e.g., behavioral response tendencies, cognitive style) will predict differential response. Discovering these individual differences will provide a practical, low-cost tool to help interventionists “match” a given person to an effective treatment for that person . This project is very innovative because no study has directly compared the distinct and common effects of these treatments on valuation, used brain imaging to study the mechanism of effects, tested whether these interventions produce a lasting change in food valuation and body fat, or built and validated a composite that moderates response .



Publications

Income, Healthy Food Availability, and Consumption Mediate Rural-Urban Health Disparities.
Authors: Smith B.J. , Tomiyama A.J. , John D.H. , Mantell B. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: International Journal Of Behavioral Medicine, 2025-04-28 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2025-04-28 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 40295464
Related Citations

Motivational dynamics of self-control.
Authors: Werner K.M. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Current Opinion In Psychology, 2024 Oct; 59, p. 101859.
EPub date: 2024-08-08 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 39173561
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Randomized trial of parent-child interaction therapy improves child-welfare parents' behavior, self-regulation, and self-perceptions.
Authors: Skowron E.A. , Nekkanti A.K. , Skoranski A.M. , Scholtes C.M. , Lyons E.R. , Mills K.L. , Bard D. , Rock A. , Berkman E. , Bard E. , et al. .
Source: Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology, 2024 Feb; 92(2), p. 75-92.
EPub date: 2023-12-07 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 38059943
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Contextualizing the Neural Vulnerabilities Model of Obesity.
Authors: Nelson T.D. , Stice E. .
Source: Nutrients, 2023-06-30 00:00:00.0; 15(13), .
EPub date: 2023-06-30 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 37447312
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Prepared and reactive inhibition in smokers and non-smokers.
Authors: Schultz K.E. , Mantell B. , Berkman E.T. , Swann N.C. .
Source: Behavioural Brain Research, 2023-02-02 00:00:00.0; 437, p. 114120.
EPub date: 2022-09-28 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 36181947
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The social neuroscience of eating: an introduction to the special issue.
Authors: Hall P.A. , Rolls E. , Berkman E. .
Source: Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience, 2023-01-09 00:00:00.0; 18(1), .
PMID: 36458671
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Striatal response to negative feedback in a stop signal task operates as a multi-value learning signal.
Authors: Smith B.J. , Lipsett M. , Cosme D. , Braun V.A. , O'Hagan A.M.B. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Imaging Neuroscience (cambridge, Mass.), 2023; 1, .
EPub date: 2023-11-03 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 38050634
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Efficacy of a combined food-response inhibition and attention training for weight loss.
Authors: Stice E. , Yokum S. , Nelson T.D. , Berkman E. , Veling H. , Lawrence N. .
Source: Current Opinion In Behavioral Sciences, 2022 Aug; 46, .
EPub date: 2022-06-15 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 36817801
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Efficacy of a combined food-response inhibition and attention training for weight loss.
Authors: Stice E. , Yokum S. , Nelson T.D. , Berkman E. , Veling H. , Lawrence N. .
Source: Current Opinion In Behavioral Sciences, 2022 Aug; 46, .
EPub date: 2022-06-15 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 36817801
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Psychological Science in the Wake of COVID-19: Social, Methodological, and Metascientific Considerations.
Authors: Rosenfeld D.L. , Balcetis E. , Bastian B. , Berkman E.T. , Bosson J.K. , Brannon T.N. , Burrow A.L. , Cameron C.D. , Chen S. , Cook J.E. , et al. .
Source: Perspectives On Psychological Science : A Journal Of The Association For Psychological Science, 2021-10-01 00:00:00.0; , p. 1745691621999374.
EPub date: 2021-10-01 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 34597198
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Test-retest reliability of functional MRI food receipt, anticipated receipt, and picture tasks.
Authors: Yokum S. , Bohon C. , Berkman E. , Stice E. .
Source: The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 2021-08-02 00:00:00.0; 114(2), p. 764-779.
PMID: 33851199
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So Useful as a Good Theory? The Practicality Crisis in (Social) Psychological Theory.
Authors: Berkman E.T. , Wilson S.M. .
Source: Perspectives On Psychological Science : A Journal Of The Association For Psychological Science, 2021-01-07 00:00:00.0; , p. 1745691620969650.
EPub date: 2021-01-07 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33412079
Related Citations

Reducing mental health disparities by increasing the personal relevance of interventions.
Authors: Hall G.C.N. , Berkman E.T. , Zane N.W. , Leong F.T.L. , Hwang W.C. , Nezu A.M. , Nezu C.M. , Hong J.J. , Chu J.P. , Huang E.R. .
Source: The American Psychologist, 2021 01; 76(1), p. 91-103.
EPub date: 2020-03-02 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 32118456
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A Multilab Replication of the Ego Depletion Effect.
Authors: Dang J. , Barker P. , Baumert A. , Bentvelzen M. , Berkman E. , Buchholz N. , Buczny J. , Chen Z. , De Cristofaro V. , de Vries L. , et al. .
Source: Social Psychological And Personality Science, 2021-01-01 00:00:00.0; 12(1), p. 14-24.
EPub date: 2020-04-03 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 34113424
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Multivariate neural signatures for health neuroscience: Assessing spontaneous regulation during food choice.
Authors: Cosme D. , Zeithamova D. , Stice E. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience, 2020-01-28 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2020-01-28 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 31993654
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Levers and barriers to success in the use of translational neuroscience for the prevention and treatment of mental health and promotion of well-being across the lifespan.
Authors: Horn S.R. , Fisher P.A. , Pfeifer J.H. , Allen N.B. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Journal Of Abnormal Psychology, 2020 Jan; 129(1), p. 38-48.
PMID: 31868386
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Brain Activity Associated With Regulating Food Cravings Predicts Changes in Self-Reported Food Craving and Consumption Over Time.
Authors: Giuliani N.R. , Cosme D. , Merchant J.S. , Dirks B. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Frontiers In Human Neuroscience, 2020; 14, p. 577669.
EPub date: 2020-11-12 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33281580
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Neural Substrates of Food Valuation and Its Relationship With BMI and Healthy Eating in Higher BMI Individuals.
Authors: Merchant J.S. , Cosme D. , Giuliani N.R. , Dirks B. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Frontiers In Behavioral Neuroscience, 2020; 14, p. 578676.
EPub date: 2020-12-04 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 33343310
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Predicting Exercise With a Personality Facet: Planfulness and Goal Achievement.
Authors: Ludwig R.M. , Srivastava S. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Psychological Science, 2019 10; 30(10), p. 1510-1521.
EPub date: 2019-09-17 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 31526324
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Neuroeconomics, health psychology, and the interdisciplinary study of preventative health behavior.
Authors: DeStasio K.L. , Clithero J.A. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Social And Personality Psychology Compass, 2019 Oct; 13(10), .
EPub date: 2019-10-23 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 32266004
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Inequality in personality and temporal discounting across socioeconomic status? Assessing the evidence.
Authors: Ludwig R.M. , Flournoy J.C. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Journal Of Research In Personality, 2019 Aug; 81, p. 79-87.
EPub date: 2019-05-18 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 31983786
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Neuroendocrine and immune pathways from pre- and perinatal stress to substance abuse.
Authors: Horn S.R. , Roos L.E. , Berkman E.T. , Fisher P.A. .
Source: Neurobiology Of Stress, 2018 Nov; 9, p. 140-150.
EPub date: 2018-09-17 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30450380
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Brief, computerized inhibitory control training to leverage adolescent neural plasticity: A pilot effectiveness trial.
Authors: Beauchamp K.G. , Shaffer K.A. , Fisher P.A. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Applied Neuropsychology. Child, 2018-09-28 00:00:00.0; , p. 1-17.
EPub date: 2018-09-28 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30265572
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The Development of Self and Identity in Adolescence: Neural Evidence and Implications for a Value-Based Choice Perspective on Motivated Behavior.
Authors: Pfeifer J.H. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Child Development Perspectives, 2018 Sep; 12(3), p. 158-164.
EPub date: 2018-02-08 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 31363361
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Autonomy can support affect regulation during illness and in health.
Authors: Cosme D. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Journal Of Health Psychology, 2018-07-31 00:00:00.0; , p. 1359105318787013.
EPub date: 2018-07-31 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 30062919
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Enhancement of Meditation Analgesia by Opioid Antagonist in Experienced Meditators.
Authors: May L.M. , Kosek P. , Zeidan F. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Psychosomatic Medicine, 2018-03-28 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2018-03-28 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 29595707
Related Citations

Neural predictors of eating behavior and dietary change.
Authors: Giuliani N.R. , Merchant J.S. , Cosme D. , Berkman E.T. .
Source: Annals Of The New York Academy Of Sciences, 2018-03-15 00:00:00.0; , .
EPub date: 2018-03-15 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 29543993
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Choosing to regulate: does choice enhance craving regulation?
Authors: Cosme D. , Mobasser A. , Zeithamova D. , Berkman E.T. , Pfeifer J.H. .
Source: Social Cognitive And Affective Neuroscience, 2018-03-01 00:00:00.0; 13(3), p. 300-309.
PMID: 29462475
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The Neuroscience of Goals and Behavior Change.
Authors: Berkman E.T. .
Source: Consulting Psychology Journal, 2018 Mar; 70(1), p. 28-44.
PMID: 29551879
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Value-based choice: An integrative, neuroscience-informed model of health goals.
Authors: Berkman E.T. .
Source: Psychology & Health, 2018 Jan; 33(1), p. 40-57.
EPub date: 2017-04-13 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 28403660
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