Dana Small

The primary interest of my lab is to use functional neuroimaging techniques in combination with neuropsychological, behavioral, psychophysical, genetic and physiological assessments to understand brain representation of taste, smell, flavor, and feeding in humans. We are particularly interested in understanding the dynamic relationship between brain and obesity. How do the neural circuits governing feeding and flavor preference formation predispose certain individuals to gain weight? How do weight gain and the associated physiological adaptations influence brain function?  We are also interested in uncovering the fundamental neural organization of the human gustatory and flavor systems. Our lab is equipped with an fMRI simulator, a fully automated and fMRI compatible olfactometer and gustometer, and a BODPOD for measuring percent body fat. All imaging studies are performed at the Yale MRI Imaging Research Center and PET Center.