Fabien Naneix
@fabnaneix.bsky.social
Lecturer at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen. Former GS Bordeaux Neurocampus. Post are my own.
Science, pop culture and gifs. May content some left politics. He/him
www.naneixlab.com
ORCID 0000-0002-7888-338X
Science, pop culture and gifs. May content some left politics. He/him
www.naneixlab.com
ORCID 0000-0002-7888-338X
Pinned
Adolescent obesity induces sex-specific alterations of action control https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.29.702500v1
So grateful to share the "first" preprint from the lab. Long overdue but I am very happy about the work which has been done in my team.
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
We believe it is important bc:
1) different diets have different impact,
2) this could long-term & long-lasting,
3) sex matters and same diets could have different effects
4) long-term alterations of action control may have consequences on future food choice but also on decision-making in general
1) different diets have different impact,
2) this could long-term & long-lasting,
3) sex matters and same diets could have different effects
4) long-term alterations of action control may have consequences on future food choice but also on decision-making in general
a cookie monster is sitting on a tray with plates of food
ALT: a cookie monster is sitting on a tray with plates of food
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
We believe it is important bc:
1) different diets have different impact,
2) this could long-term & long-lasting,
3) sex matters and same diets could have different effects
4) long-term alterations of action control may have consequences on future food choice but also on decision-making in general
1) different diets have different impact,
2) this could long-term & long-lasting,
3) sex matters and same diets could have different effects
4) long-term alterations of action control may have consequences on future food choice but also on decision-making in general
We tested using two procedures: contingency reversal and contingency degradation. In both cases we saw that adolescent diet was impairing the process.
But in this case, only the vHFD males were impaired, while both HFD and vHFD-exposed females were impaired. More sex-differences!
But in this case, only the vHFD males were impaired, while both HFD and vHFD-exposed females were impaired. More sex-differences!
a close up of a man 's face with the word rules written in white
ALT: a close up of a man 's face with the word rules written in white
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
We tested using two procedures: contingency reversal and contingency degradation. In both cases we saw that adolescent diet was impairing the process.
But in this case, only the vHFD males were impaired, while both HFD and vHFD-exposed females were impaired. More sex-differences!
But in this case, only the vHFD males were impaired, while both HFD and vHFD-exposed females were impaired. More sex-differences!
We then tested another important parameter for action control: the mental representation of action-outcome relationships.
In simple term, they know they press because it gives them the food reward. If the rules change and they have a flexible control, they should adapt their behaviour accordingly
In simple term, they know they press because it gives them the food reward. If the rules change and they have a flexible control, they should adapt their behaviour accordingly
ice cube says " actions have consequences " in front of a black background
ALT: ice cube says " actions have consequences " in front of a black background
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
We then tested another important parameter for action control: the mental representation of action-outcome relationships.
In simple term, they know they press because it gives them the food reward. If the rules change and they have a flexible control, they should adapt their behaviour accordingly
In simple term, they know they press because it gives them the food reward. If the rules change and they have a flexible control, they should adapt their behaviour accordingly
Interestingly, HFD exposure during adolescence seems to alters the balance between these 2 control modes as HFD-exposed mice switch to more habitual responses earlier during training than control mice.
This is true for HFD (45%) and vHFD (60%) exposed males but only for vHFD exposed females!
This is true for HFD (45%) and vHFD (60%) exposed males but only for vHFD exposed females!
Gtv The Voice GIF
ALT: Gtv The Voice GIF
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Interestingly, HFD exposure during adolescence seems to alters the balance between these 2 control modes as HFD-exposed mice switch to more habitual responses earlier during training than control mice.
This is true for HFD (45%) and vHFD (60%) exposed males but only for vHFD exposed females!
This is true for HFD (45%) and vHFD (60%) exposed males but only for vHFD exposed females!
First we changed the value of the food reward associated with their action by sating them (outcome devaluation). With typical goal-directed control, mice should stop pressing the lever as the food is not desirable anymore, while with habitual control they would continue to press.
a woman sits at a table with a plate of food on it
ALT: a woman sits at a table with a plate of food on it
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
First we changed the value of the food reward associated with their action by sating them (outcome devaluation). With typical goal-directed control, mice should stop pressing the lever as the food is not desirable anymore, while with habitual control they would continue to press.
We then looked at how these mice, once back on normal diet, were flexible in their action control. We used a simple instrumental learning task and check how their behaviour was more goal-directed or habitual.
a woman sitting at a table with the words i 'm just goal oriented on the bottom
ALT: a woman sitting at a table with the words i 'm just goal oriented on the bottom
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
We then looked at how these mice, once back on normal diet, were flexible in their action control. We used a simple instrumental learning task and check how their behaviour was more goal-directed or habitual.
First, we saw that impact on body weight and glucose homeostasis was very diet-dependent but also sex-dependent with females being less vulnerable (at least on these parameters)
Sugarrush GIF
ALT: Sugarrush GIF
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
First, we saw that impact on body weight and glucose homeostasis was very diet-dependent but also sex-dependent with females being less vulnerable (at least on these parameters)
Using mice, we gave them ad lib access to balanced diet (chow) or high fat diet (HFD, 45 or 60% fat content) specifically during adolescence (post natal day 28 to 63).
All our investigations were done at adulthood once mice were back on just healthy diet
All our investigations were done at adulthood once mice were back on just healthy diet
a cartoon of winnie the pooh sitting at a table with a plate of food and the words food is here
ALT: a cartoon of winnie the pooh sitting at a table with a plate of food and the words food is here
media.tenor.com
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Using mice, we gave them ad lib access to balanced diet (chow) or high fat diet (HFD, 45 or 60% fat content) specifically during adolescence (post natal day 28 to 63).
All our investigations were done at adulthood once mice were back on just healthy diet
All our investigations were done at adulthood once mice were back on just healthy diet
So grateful to share the "first" preprint from the lab. Long overdue but I am very happy about the work which has been done in my team.
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
Adolescent obesity induces sex-specific alterations of action control https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.29.702500v1
February 2, 2026 at 8:08 PM
So grateful to share the "first" preprint from the lab. Long overdue but I am very happy about the work which has been done in my team.
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
We explored how the consumption of different obesogenic diets during adolescence was having long-term impact impact goal-directed and habitual behaviours. A thread
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters
Letters: Dr Robin Lovell-Badge and Prof Emma Robinson respond to an editorial on using new technologies to reduce the reliance on animal experiments
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Why we have to continue with animal testing for medical research | Letters www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Oh hell! You guys too? Support from the North
November 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Oh hell! You guys too? Support from the North
Reposted by Fabien Naneix
📢 EBBS Travel Awards for FENS 2026!
EBBS is offering 6 travel grants (PhD students & early postdocs) to attend the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona
💸€700 support, in-person participation required
🗓️Deadline: 12 January 2026
More info 👉 www.ebbs-science.org/EBBS_awards#...
EBBS is offering 6 travel grants (PhD students & early postdocs) to attend the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona
💸€700 support, in-person participation required
🗓️Deadline: 12 January 2026
More info 👉 www.ebbs-science.org/EBBS_awards#...
EBBS :: EBBS awards
Website of the European Brain and Behaviour Society
www.ebbs-science.org
November 21, 2025 at 9:13 AM
📢 EBBS Travel Awards for FENS 2026!
EBBS is offering 6 travel grants (PhD students & early postdocs) to attend the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona
💸€700 support, in-person participation required
🗓️Deadline: 12 January 2026
More info 👉 www.ebbs-science.org/EBBS_awards#...
EBBS is offering 6 travel grants (PhD students & early postdocs) to attend the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona
💸€700 support, in-person participation required
🗓️Deadline: 12 January 2026
More info 👉 www.ebbs-science.org/EBBS_awards#...
Using cutting edge behavioural and circuit neuroscience approaches in mice, you will investigate the impact of sugar consumption during early life on decision-making and brain circuits.
DL for application: 15th Dec 2025.
Please share to anyone interested.
DL for application: 15th Dec 2025.
Please share to anyone interested.
November 19, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Using cutting edge behavioural and circuit neuroscience approaches in mice, you will investigate the impact of sugar consumption during early life on decision-making and brain circuits.
DL for application: 15th Dec 2025.
Please share to anyone interested.
DL for application: 15th Dec 2025.
Please share to anyone interested.
Possibility for a Eastbio funded PhD in my group at the @rowettinstitute.bsky.social @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social.
This is a highly competitive process: applicants should hold a 1st BSc Honours or 2:1 MSc degree in neuroscience.
A single applicant per project will be interviewed.
shorturl.at/rd669
This is a highly competitive process: applicants should hold a 1st BSc Honours or 2:1 MSc degree in neuroscience.
A single applicant per project will be interviewed.
shorturl.at/rd669
EastBio: Too sweet: how early life sugar consumption shapes brain and behaviour at University of Aberdeen on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - EastBio: Too sweet: how early life sugar consumption shapes brain and behaviour at University of Aberdeen , listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Possibility for a Eastbio funded PhD in my group at the @rowettinstitute.bsky.social @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social.
This is a highly competitive process: applicants should hold a 1st BSc Honours or 2:1 MSc degree in neuroscience.
A single applicant per project will be interviewed.
shorturl.at/rd669
This is a highly competitive process: applicants should hold a 1st BSc Honours or 2:1 MSc degree in neuroscience.
A single applicant per project will be interviewed.
shorturl.at/rd669
Entering in my 40s with style.
This year has been bumpy on so many aspects but the continuous support of @katepeters3.bsky.social and this little research trip in Canada have been the highlight!
This year has been bumpy on so many aspects but the continuous support of @katepeters3.bsky.social and this little research trip in Canada have been the highlight!
November 9, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Entering in my 40s with style.
This year has been bumpy on so many aspects but the continuous support of @katepeters3.bsky.social and this little research trip in Canada have been the highlight!
This year has been bumpy on so many aspects but the continuous support of @katepeters3.bsky.social and this little research trip in Canada have been the highlight!
Reposted by Fabien Naneix
Excellent talk by @katepeters3.bsky.social, who visited us at @notts-psych.bsky.social today to speak about "Effects of environmental enrichment in reducing food seeking and the role of corticolimbic circuits"
October 29, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Excellent talk by @katepeters3.bsky.social, who visited us at @notts-psych.bsky.social today to speak about "Effects of environmental enrichment in reducing food seeking and the role of corticolimbic circuits"
I am attending the #FENS2026 forum in Barcelona next July. And I am over the moon that our symposium with @borglandlab.bsky.social, Serge Luquet and @dr-ahorstmann.bsky.social on "Neurobiological mechanisms on the cognitive control of feeding in the modern food environment" was accepted!
October 9, 2025 at 9:28 AM
I am attending the #FENS2026 forum in Barcelona next July. And I am over the moon that our symposium with @borglandlab.bsky.social, Serge Luquet and @dr-ahorstmann.bsky.social on "Neurobiological mechanisms on the cognitive control of feeding in the modern food environment" was accepted!
We can have sun (sometime) in the North of Scotland. And the Old @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social campus looks always beautiful.
October 7, 2025 at 5:20 PM
We can have sun (sometime) in the North of Scotland. And the Old @uniofaberdeen.bsky.social campus looks always beautiful.
2) students ls from North America have often more extensive background and experience than a lot UK applicants. So they should not hesitate to reach out the labs/PIs.
September 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
2) students ls from North America have often more extensive background and experience than a lot UK applicants. So they should not hesitate to reach out the labs/PIs.
In the UK they do not "really" require a MSc to start a PhD. But access to funding through graduate programs is very competitive and committees usually prefer people with MSc degree. That being said 1) this is not true for already funded lab/PhD topic and...
September 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
In the UK they do not "really" require a MSc to start a PhD. But access to funding through graduate programs is very competitive and committees usually prefer people with MSc degree. That being said 1) this is not true for already funded lab/PhD topic and...
I had the best time at the @hotchkissbrain.bsky.social @ucalgary.bsky.social this last month. Thank you @borglandlab.bsky.social for having me around 🥰😍. I hope it is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration together.
August 11, 2025 at 12:07 AM
I had the best time at the @hotchkissbrain.bsky.social @ucalgary.bsky.social this last month. Thank you @borglandlab.bsky.social for having me around 🥰😍. I hope it is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration together.
Very nice and detailed review in @npp-journal.bsky.social on "Prefrontal cortex development and its implications in mental illness" from Laura DeNardo and colleagues.
rdcu.be/euCIP
rdcu.be/euCIP
Prefrontal cortex development and its implications in mental illness
Neuropsychopharmacology - Prefrontal cortex development and its implications in mental illness
rdcu.be
July 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Very nice and detailed review in @npp-journal.bsky.social on "Prefrontal cortex development and its implications in mental illness" from Laura DeNardo and colleagues.
rdcu.be/euCIP
rdcu.be/euCIP
@marionrivalan.bsky.social introducing the very nice initiative of the Behaviour Forum
www.cost-teatime.org/about/thebeh...
www.cost-teatime.org/about/thebeh...
June 28, 2025 at 12:57 PM
@marionrivalan.bsky.social introducing the very nice initiative of the Behaviour Forum
www.cost-teatime.org/about/thebeh...
www.cost-teatime.org/about/thebeh...
@ebbsociety.bsky.social starting 🔥🥵 in Bordeaux
June 28, 2025 at 12:53 PM
@ebbsociety.bsky.social starting 🔥🥵 in Bordeaux