Cue-approach training for food behavior

Cue-approach training (CAT) is a novel behavioral training paradigm that induces preference changes without external reinforcements. In CAT, the mere association of a visual stimulus, a neutral cue, and a speeded motor response, leads to enhanced preferences toward the associated stimuli. Previous studies using CAT have repeatedly shown preference changes for snack food items, as well as for other stimulus types (e.g. faces, fractal images). Neuroimaging studies indicate that the underlying mechanisms of CAT involve both reward and attention-related systems. The neural pathway by which this nonreinforced change takes place, was recently termed as the dorsal value pathway (DVP). Here, we review previous findings with CAT and suggest that the task has the potential to elicit long-lasting food-related preference changes, and offer real-life applications to promote healthy food consumption.