Random

AgRP

·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

·January 11, 2016·4 min read

Why Your Diet is Doomed: ‘Hunger’ Neurons Promote Negative Feelings

Researchers report that your hypothalamic neurons could be to blame why your diet is making you feel negative.

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

·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.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 18, 2012·2 min read

Brain Neurons and Diet Influence Onset of Obesity and Diabetes in Mice

The absence of a specific type of neuron in the brain can lead to obesity and diabetes in mice report researchers. The outcome, however, depends on the type of diet that the animals are fed.

Featured Neuroscience

·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.

Image shows dendritic spines on a neuron.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 6, 2016·6 min read

Hunger Neurons Are Regulated by a Protein Activated During Fasting

Researchers discover a control mechanism for neurons involved in hunger and eating disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·October 18, 2016·5 min read

A New Player in Appetite Control

Researchers report glia play a critical role in feeding behavior and appetite control.

Image shows a brain with food images in it.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 14, 2017·6 min read

Key Link Between Brain Circuits Governing Hunger and Cravings Revealed

A new study could help explain how the hungry brain hinders dieting.

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.