Converging vulnerability factors for compulsive food and drug use

• Published in: Neuropharmacology 2021-09, Vol.196, p.108556-108556, Article 108556
• Main Authors: Serafine, Katherine M., O'Dell, Laura E., Zorrilla, Eric P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addiction; Animals; Binge eating disorder; Binge-Eating Disorder - genetics; Binge-Eating Disorder - metabolism; Binge-Eating Disorder - physiopathology; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiopathology; Comorbidity; Cross-vulnerability; Food Addiction - genetics; Food Addiction - metabolism; Food Addiction - physiopathology; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Obesity; Obesity - genetics; Obesity - metabolism; Obesity - physiopathology; Reinforcement, Psychology; Reward; Risk Factors; Substance use disorder; Substance-Related Disorders - genetics; Substance-Related Disorders - metabolism; Substance-Related Disorders - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0028-3908; 1873-7064
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108556

Highly palatable foods and substance of abuse have intersecting neurobiological, metabolic and behavioral effects relevant for understanding vulnerability to conditions related to food (e.g., obesity, binge eating disorder) and drug (e.g., substance use disorder) misuse. Here, we review data from animal models, clinical populations and epidemiological evidence in behavioral, genetic, pathophysiologic and therapeutic domains. Results suggest that consumption of highly palatable food and drugs of abuse both impact and conversely are regulated by metabolic hormones and metabolic status. Palatable foods high in fat and/or sugar can elicit adaptation in brain reward and withdrawal circuitry akin to substances of abuse. Intake of or withdrawal from palatable food can impact behavioral sensitivity to drugs of abuse and vice versa. A robust literature suggests common substrates and roles for negative reinforcement, negative affect, negative urgency, and impulse control deficits, with both highly palatable foods and substances of abuse. Candidate genetic risk loci shared by obesity and alcohol use disorders have been identified in molecules classically associated with both metabolic and motivational functions. Finally, certain drugs may have overlapping therapeutic potential to treat obesity, diabetes, binge-related eating disorders and substance use disorders. Taken together, data are consistent with the hypotheses that compulsive food and substance use share overlapping, interacting substrates at neurobiological and metabolic levels and that motivated behavior associated with feeding or substance use might constitute vulnerability factors for one another. This article is part of the special issue on ‘Vulnerabilities to Substance Abuse’. •Food, alcohol, and drug use each impact and are regulated by metabolic hormones.•Palatable food changes brain reward and withdrawal circuitry akin to abused drugs.•Negative reinforcement, affect, and urgency are key shared substrates of addiction.•Metabolic and motivational risk genes are shared by compulsive drug and food use.•Substance use disorders, eating disorders and obesity share effective treatments.