Eating behavior as a new frontier in memory research

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2021-08, Vol.127, p.795-807
• Main Authors: Seitz, Benjamin M., Tomiyama, A. Janet, Blaisdell, Aaron P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Eating; Eating behavior; Episodic memory; Evolution; Feeding Behavior; Ghrelin; Hippocampus; Humans; Memory; Mnemonic control of eating; Obesity
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.024

•Eating behavior and memory share common neural substrates and are influenced by similar neuroendocrine signals.•Memory processes influence eating behavior and eating behavior and eating-related ailments can influence memory processes.•Enhancing memory of eating may reduce future snacking but little is known about what influences memory of eating.•Mammalian memory systems may have evolved to prioritize the remembering of eating events and food-related information. The study of memory is commonly associated with neuroscience, aging, education, and eyewitness testimony. Here we discuss how eating behavior is also heavily intertwined—and yet considerably understudied in its relation to memory processes. Both are influenced by similar neuroendocrine signals (e.g., leptin and ghrelin) and are dependent on hippocampal functions. While learning processes have long been implicated in influencing eating behavior, recent research has shown how memory of recent eating modulates future consumption. In humans, obesity is associated with impaired memory performance, and in rodents, dietary-induced obesity causes rapid decrements to memory. Lesions to the hippocampus disrupt memory but also induce obesity, highlighting a cyclic relationship between obesity and memory impairment. Enhancing memory of eating has been shown to reduce future eating and yet, little is known about what influences memory of eating or how memory of eating differs from memory for other behaviors. We discuss recent advancements in these areas and highlight fruitful research pursuits afforded by combining the study of memory with the study of eating behavior.