The Gut-brain Axis in Food Reward and Alcohol Consumption

The aims of this project are to: 1. Determine if 3-weeks dietary supplementation with NOPE-EGCG (PhosphoLEANtm, 85mg NOPE+50mg EGCG per capsule) versus a placebo will improve performance on impulsivity, go/no-go tasks and negative outcome learning in heavy drinkers. 2. Evaluate whether supplementation with NOPE-EGCG versus placebo results in reductions in alcohol consumption. 3. Preliminary data in the rodent model suggests that rats treated with OEA shift preference for lower fat test stimuli. In aim 3 we will Determine if 3-weeks of supplementation with PhosphoLEAN shifts fat preference towards lower fat test puddings.