Physiological Response and Visual Attention to Visual Food Images in Healthy Subjects and in Functional Dyspepsia Patients

In functional dyspepsia (FD), abnormal cognitive and emotional changes such increased sensitization, anxiety, and depression scores have been reported in addition to the peripheral changes in gastrointestinal tract functions. In this study, investigators will evaluate the activity of autonomic nervous system, emotional response, and visual attention to food and non-food images in 30 male and female FD patients and 30 age/gender-matched healthy volunteers. These data will provide a new finding of the influence of impaired cognitive processing of food on symptom generation in functional gastrointestinal disorder patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female, volunteering adults BMI: 18-25 kg/m² right-handed Age: 18-65 years Capacity to give informed consent For FD patients, Diagnosis of functional dyspepsia over the last 12 months certified by a medical record Inconspicuous gastroscopy during the last 6 months certified by a medical record

Exclusion Criteria:

• Visual impairment Severe psychiatric illness (e.g. schizophrenia, severe depression (BDI-II:29-63)), substance dependence and abuse Intake of antidepressants / antipsychotics