Brain Scans of Response to Beer Taste (IMAGE) Indiana University Caption The source of alcohol craving may be a pea-sized structure deep inside the right side of the brain, according to scientists at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Using two different kinds of advanced brain imaging techniques (PET and fMRI), the researchers compared the results of giving beer drinkers a taste of their favorite beer versus a sports drink. After tasting the beer the participants reported increased desire to drink beer, whereas the sports drink did not provoke as much desire for beer. The brain scans showed that the beer flavor induced more activity in both frontal lobes and in the right ventral striatum of the subjects' brains than did the sports drink. Credit B. Oberlin and D. Kareken, Indiana University School of Medicine Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.