If you “feel” addicted to sweets, is it safe to abstain except on weekends? Maybe not. A 2009 study shows the addictive power of sweet treats, at the same time that a new campaign by the American Dairy Counsel was launched to get more children to drink more sweetened chocolate milk. Lead researchers include Pietro Cottone, Boston University. Listen: Rats and Sugar (4 minutes)
Dr. Cottone is co-director of the Laboratory of Addictive Disorders. Dr. Cottone’s research interests focus on the neurobiological substrates of motivated behaviors including feeding and addiction. The major goal of Dr. Cottone’s research is identifying the biological bases of and potential treatments for obesity and eating disorders. Current studies concern the role of stress in compulsive eating and palatable food dependence. Areas of focused research include the investigation of the neurobiological bases of stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression. Dr. Cottone’s studies are carried out on environmental and genetic animal models, using behavioral, biochemical, and molecular approaches.
This program first broadcast on KGNU’s science show, How on Earth.
