Human brain function in feeding behavior

Abstract

We rely on visual information to recognize food and carry it to our mouth. In contrast, many animals use olfactory information to locate food and take their mouth to the food. Moreover, animals eat to survive, while humans engage in feeding behavior for various reasons which include survival. This difference suggests that the role of the cerebral cortex in feeding behavior in animals is similar, but not identical, to that in humans. The motor cortex and somatosensory cortex, which include the cortical masticatory area play an important role in voluntary mastication in feeding. However, the role of the cerebral cortex in the anticipatory and preparatory stage in feeding behavior is not clear, even though the involvement of higher brain function has been suggested. Here, we discuss the functional role of the cerebral cortex in the anticipatory and preparatory stage of feeding based on our study results and previous neuroscientific findings regarding visual information processing as well as reaching and grasping movement.