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leptin

·December 12, 2022·5 min read

A Possible Neural Link Between Early Life Trauma and Binge-Eating Disorder Discovered

8 in 10 sufferers of binge eating disorders experienced trauma during childhood. Researchers discovered leptin is less effective in the lateral hypothalamus of those who suffered childhood trauma.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 12, 2016·5 min read

Brain Cells That Aid Appetite Control Identified in Mice

Researchers report their discovery could open new doors for the development of drugs to control obesity and weight gain.

This is a cartoon drawing of two ray guns, one named insulin and the other leptin, shooting lasers at a high fat meal.

Featured Neuroscience

·January 16, 2015·2 min read

Could Our Brain Instruct Our Bodies to Burn More Fat?

New research provides additional insight into how the brain regulates body fat and could help provide more effective methods of weight loss.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 25, 2018·5 min read

Destructive Mechanism That Blocks the Brain from Knowing When to Stop Eating Identified

Researchers report mice fed a high fat diet produce an enzyme called MMP-2, which results in leptin being blocked from binding to its receptors. This, they report, prevents neurons from signaling that the stomach is full. The study suggests blocking MMP-2 may help people with obesity to lose weight.

This shows a pregnant woman making a heart shape with her hands over her belly

Featured Neuroscience

·May 25, 2019·2 min read

Don’t overdo omega-6 fat consumption during pregnancy

Consuming too much omega 6 during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental issues in babies and pregnancy complications. In mice who had higher levels of linoleic acid in their diets, researchers noted altered concentrations of inflammatory proteins and a decrease in hormones that regulate fetal growth and development. Researchers stress the effects of a high linoleic acid concentration in diet are the same for both animal models and humans.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·August 12, 2020·3 min read

Exercise Makes Female Rats Hungrier and Sustains Weight Gain

Study in rats reveals sex differences may play a key role in the effectiveness of exercise as an appetite regulator. Exercising female rats ate more than those who did not partake in physical activity. The same effect was not seen in males.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·February 26, 2016·3 min read

Feeding Behavior in Brain Regulated by Metabolism Protein

Researchers report a hormone called amylin acts in the brain to help control food consumption.

Featured Neuroscience

·December 20, 2018·5 min read

Gut-Brain Connection Signals Behavioral Alterations While Eating: Worm Study

Researchers have identified neurons in the guts of C. elegans that detect when bacteria are ingested and release a neurotransmitter that signals the brain to halt locomotion.

This image shows a fried egg with a pink brain over the top.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 14, 2015·4 min read

High Fat Diets Can Impair Critical Motivational Pathway

A new study reports high fat diets can impair the function of the mesolimbic dopamine system.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·September 24, 2015·3 min read

How Hunger Controlling Neurons Regulate Bone Mass

According to a new study, AgRP neurons not only control huger, they also regulate bone mass.

Featured Neuroscience

·July 22, 2020·5 min read

How Neurons Reshape Inside Body Fat to Boost Its Calorie-Burning Capacity

Normally bushy networks of neural fibers within fat tissue shrink in the absence of leptin, but grow back when the hormone is administered in drug form. The alterations influence the ability to burn energy stored in fat in mouse models.