Cited by 126Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorRegulation of Appetite and Obesity

Pathological overeating: emerging evidence for a compulsivity construct

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Moore, Catherine F, Sabino, Valentina, Koob, George F, Cottone, Pietro·2017·Neuropsychopharmacology

Abstract

Compulsive eating behavior is a transdiagnostic construct that is characteristic of medical and psychiatric conditions such as forms of obesity and eating disorders. Although feeding research is moving toward a better understanding of the proposed addictive properties of food, the components and the mechanisms contributing to compulsive eating are not yet clearly defined or understood. Current understanding highlights three elements of compulsive behavior as it applies to pathological overeating: (1) habitual overeating; (2) overeating to relieve a negative emotional state; and (3) overeating despite aversive consequences. These elements emerge through mechanisms involving pathological habit formation through an aberrant learning process, the emergence of a negative emotional state, and dysfunctions in behavioral control. Dysfunctions in systems within neurocircuitries that comprise the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex result in compulsive eating behaviors. Here, we present evidence to relate compulsive eating behavior and addiction and to characterize their underlying neurobiological mechanisms. A major need to improve understanding of compulsive eating through the integration of complex motivational, emotional, and cognitive constructs is warranted.

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  • A similar theoretical framework has been proposed for compulsive eating, in which habitual overeating, overeating to relieve a negative emotional state, and overeating despite aversive consequences reflect the three functional domains outlined in drug addiction.

    “Note that a similar theoretical framework has been proposed for compulsive eating, in which habitual overeating, overeating to relieve a negative emotional state, and overeating despite aversive consequences reflect the three functional domains that are outlined in drug addiction (Moore et al., 2017(Moore et al., , 2019)).”

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  1. [145]145. O'Brien CP (2011). Drug addiction. In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC (eds). Goodman & Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics 12 edn. McGraw-Hill: New York.

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Authors
Moore, C. F., Sabino, V., Koob, G. F., & Cottone, P.
Affiliations
  • Boston University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Cottone, Pietro
Venue
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
2016-12-06
Volume
42
Issue
7
Pages
1375-1389
ISSN
  • 0893-133X (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-634X
OpenAlex
W2560447148
Cited by
126
References
218
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 9
FWCI
1.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (AA024439)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH091945, DA030425, MH093650)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA030425)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
Keywords
compulsive eating, compulsivity, food addiction, transdiagnostic constructs, emotional overeating, aversive consequences, habit formation, basal ganglia, extended amygdala, prefrontal cortex, obesity, eating disorders
MeSH terms
Amygdala, Compulsive Behavior, Humans, Hyperphagia, Nerve Net, Behavior, Addictive, Prefrontal Cortex

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