Nora L. Nock

Neural correlates of inhibitory control in severe class III compared with class I/II obesity using a sample of endometrial cancer survivors seeking weight loss

AbstractObjectiveNo prior studies have evaluated inhibitory control in people with severe class III compared with class I/II obesity. Thus, the study aim was to evaluate inhibitory control and neural correlates of response inhibition by obesity class using a sample of endometrial cancer (EC) survivors with obesity, who have a higher risk of overall but not cancer‐specific mortality.MethodsForty‐eight stage I EC survivors with obesity (class I/II: n = 21; class III: n = 27) seeking weight loss in a lifestyle intervention at baseline completed a stop signal task during functional magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsIt was found that participants with class III obesity had a longer stop signal reaction time (mean [SD], 278.8 [51.3] vs. 251.5 [34.0] milliseconds, p < 0.01) compared with those with class I/II obesity, indicating that patients with EC with severe obesity had greater impulsivity and poorer inhibitory control. Results also showed increased activation in the thalamus and superior frontal gyrus for the incorrect versus correct inhibition contrast in class III but not class I/II obesity (whole brain cluster corrected, p < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results provide novel insights into inhibitory control and corresponding neural correlates in severe versus less severe classes of obesity and highlight the importance of targeting inhibitory control processes in weight‐loss interventions, particularly for people with severe obesity and greater impulsivity.

Insights to the neural response to food cues in class III compared with class I and II obese adults using a sample of endometrial cancer survivors seeking weight loss

Abstract Background The rates of severe or Class III obesity (BMI ≥ 40.0 kg/m2) and endometrial cancer (EC) incidence and mortality have been increasing significantly in the United States. Adults with severe obesity are more likely to die and women with severe obesity have a higher risk of EC development and mortality than those with Class I/II obesity (BMI: 30–<40 kg/m2). However, no prior studies have evaluated the neural response to food cues by obesity severity/class in adults with or without cancer. Methods We conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging visual food cue task in 85 obese Stage I EC survivors who were seeking weight loss in a lifestyle intervention at baseline. We evaluated the neural response to high-calorie vs. non-food images after an overnight fast (fasted state) and after eating a standardized meal (fed state), and grouped patients by obesity class (Class I/II: n = 38; Class III: n = 47). Results In the fasted state, we found increased activation in several regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in Class III and Class I/II patients (whole brain cluster corrected (WBCC), p < 0.05), which was significantly higher in Class III vs. Class I/II (p < 0.05). We found decreased activation in the insula in the fasted state, which was significantly lower in Class I/II vs. Class III (p = 0.03). In the fed state, we found increased activation in the DLPFC in Class III and Class I/II (WBCC, p < 0.05). The increased activation in cognitive control/inhibition regions (DLPFC) is consistent with the summative literature; however, the decreased activation in taste information processing regions (insula) was unexpected. Conclusions Our results provide novel insights on food cue response between different classes of obesity and highlight the importance of targeting the DLPFC in weight loss interventions, particularly in severely obese patients. Additional studies examining food-related neural circuitry between different classes of obesity are needed.

Sleep, quality of life, and depression in endometrial cancer survivors with obesity seeking weight loss

Incidence and mortality rates of uterine cancer are increasing and, obesity, which is also rising, has been associated with uterine cancer development and mortality. A recent study found that poor sleep quality is common among endometrial cancer survivors and those with obesity had more sleep disturbances than those having normal weight. However, it is unclear if higher levels of obesity (Class III, BMI ≥ 40 kg/m We evaluated sleep, depression, and quality of life in 100 Stage I endometrial cancer survivors with obesity seeking weight loss enrolled in a lifestyle intervention (NCT01870947) at baseline. The average age was 60 years and mean BMI was 42.1 kg/m Our results reveal that endometrial cancer survivors with class III compared with class I obesity have poorer sleep quality, higher depression, and lower quality of life. Given the rising rates of obesity and uterine cancer mortality, interventions to combat both obesity and poor sleep are needed.

Assisted Exercise in Obese Endometrial Cancer Patients

This is an assisted exercise trial involving exercise on a stationary bike, brain imaging and DNA(genetics)sampling. The purpose of this study is to find out if performing a progressive, supervised assisted exercise program on a stationary bike improves quality of life, increases motivation to continue to exercise, improves dietary behavior and leads to sustained weight loss in women who have had early-stage endometrial cancer. Questionnaires will be used to assess exercise motivation and dietary behavior. Brain's responses to different visual images will also be assessed.