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AgRP

·June 28, 2022·4 min read

No More Binge Eating: Signal Pathway in the Brain That Controls Food Intake Discovered

AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus control the release of endogenous lysophospholipids, helping to control the excitability of cerebral cortex neurons and stimulating the desire for food intake.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 24, 2021·5 min read

Why Does Food Smell so Good When We’re Hungry?

A study of hungry mice sheds new light on the neurobiology of olfaction and food attraction. Researchers identified a pathway that promotes attraction to food odors over other olfactory cues.

This is a drawing of a brain and neurons

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 11, 2021·6 min read

Tiny Population of Neurons May Have Big Role in Depression

Induced changes in the function of AgRP neurons may contribute to depression, researchers report.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 17, 2019·3 min read

How hunger makes food tastier

Study identifies the neural circuits that cause hunger-induced increases in the preference for sweet foods and decreased sensitivity to aversive tastes.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·November 15, 2018·4 min read

Seeing and Smelling Food Prepares the Liver for Digestion: Mouse Study

Researchers say the sight and smell of food alone may be enough to prompt the liver to start the processes that help digest food.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 18, 2018·6 min read

Leptin’s Neural Circuit Identified

A new gene editing study reveals how the hormone leptin can help to prevent diabetes and obesity.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 5, 2017·6 min read

Shutting Off Hunger’s Alarm System

Researchers have identified a mechanism that drives hunger. A new study reports the sight or smell of food can temporarily turn of AgRP neurons, which drive the urge to eat. These neurons remain inactive until the brain receives a signal from the gut that calories have been consumed.

Featured Neuroscience

·August 1, 2017·4 min read

Brain Switch Tells Body to Burn Fat After a Meal

Researchers report the brain's ability to sense insulin and coordinate feeding with energy expenditure is controlled by a mechanism that is turned on after fasting to inhibit insulin response and conserve energy. After feeding, the mechanism is turned off to facilitate insulin response and expend energy. However, in obese people, researchers believe the switch may stay on all the time.