Why we can't resist a sinful, dark chocolate cake

Washington, June 30 (ANI): Scientists have revealed why is it that despite being on a strict diet, some of us can't help taking a bite of that sinful, dark chocolate cake.

Professor Ray Dolan and his colleagues have shown that increased levels of dopamine - a chemical in the brain involved in mediating reward, motivation, and learning through reinforcement - affects our will power and makes us act impulsively.

The research may explain why people affected by conditions such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) show extremely impulsive behaviour or why such behaviour can be a potential negative side-effect of L-dopa, a drug used to help alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

In a study, the team administered low dose of L-dopa and then placed the subjects on a placebo.

The results showed that when asked to make a choice, say, receiving 15 pounds in two weeks, or a 'larger, later' option, such as receiving 57 pounds in six months, every subject was more likely to behave more impulsively - choosing the 'smaller, sooner' option when the levels of dopamine were high.

"Lowering dopamine levels may be able to reduce impulsivity, but we need to be certain that this didn't come at the expense of other, important functions," explains Dr Alex Pine, first author of the study.

The study is published today in the Journal of Neuroscience. (ANI)