Effect of the dopamine D3 receptor antagonist GSK598809 on brain responses to rewarding food images in overweight and obese binge eaters

The dopamine D-3 receptor is thought to be a potential target for treating compulsive disorders such as drug addiction and obesity. Here, we used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to investigate the effects the selective dopamine D-3 receptor antagonist GSK598809 on brain activation to food images in a sample of overweight and obese binge-eating subjects. Consistent with previous studies, processing of food images was associated with activation of a network of reward areas including the amygdala, striatum and insula. However, brain activation to food images was not modulated by GSK598809. The results demonstrate that D-3 receptor manipulation does not modulate brain responses to food images in overweight and obese subjects. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.