Speaker
Description
Fasting has a systemic impact on the body and brain, especially in the metabolic and neural pathways implicated in depression. For example, fasting promotes stress reduction, stimulates autophagy and lowers both blood sugar and blood pressure. In this project, we aim to determine the effect of fasting in depression. We focus specifically on how potential improvements in symptoms following fasting are linked to changes in reward processing, brain connectivity, and metabolic markers. Here, we present pilot data from the project showcasing the use of 7 Tesla functional neuroimaging to investigate the brain’s reward system. Additionally, we outline our multimodal approach, which utilises both remote app-based behavioural assessments as well as the latest advancements in high-field neuroimaging and biological profiling (blood and stool).