FeaturedNeuroscience·October 5, 2024·4 min readFat Alone Doesn’t Disrupt Brain’s Appetite NeuronsA new study reveals that a high-fat diet alone does not appear to be responsible for changes in brain neurons that regulate appetite and energy balance. Researchers found no immediate effect on neurons in the hypothalamus of mice fed a high-fat, low-sugar diet, suggesting that other nutrients like sugar may play a more significant role in altering brain function.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·December 19, 2022·4 min readSerotonin 2C Receptor Associated With Obesity and Maladaptive BehaviorMutations in the gene for the serotonin 2C receptor play a key role in obesity and dysfunctional behaviors in both human and animal models.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·June 8, 2020·3 min readAppetite can be increased by cells in the brainGlial cells known as tanycytes deliver signals to neurons in the brain to activate appetite. Optogenetic stimulation of tanycytes increases appetite.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·March 3, 2020·3 min readBrain cells that change shape after a mealFollowing a meal, astrocytes associated with POMC neurons in the hypothalamus alter their shape. After eating, glucose levels increase temporarily. Astrocytes detect the signal and react within one hour, causing POMC neurons to activate and promote the feeling of satiety.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·September 5, 2019·4 min readBrain circuit connects feeding and mood in response to stressA new study identifies a novel neural network regulating feeding and mood in response to chronic stress. Inhibiting the POMC to ventral tegmental area circuit increases body weight and food intake while reducing depressive symptoms in mouse models.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·August 15, 2019·3 min readModerate to heavy drinking during pregnancy alters genes in newborns and mothersPOMC, a gene which regulates the stress response system, and PER2, a gene associated with circadian regulation, are altered in women who drank moderate-to-high amounts of alcohol during pregnancy and their newborns.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·June 24, 2019·2 min readResearchers identify new hunger pathway in the brainNewly identified network in the hypothalamus alters feeding behaviors on a shorter timescale. The pathway affects food intake and body weight by releasing GABA, which may occur due to the detection, and not the consumption of food.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·May 13, 2019·3 min readObesity: The key role of a brain protein revealed – Mouse studyThe protein ACBP directly influences neurons that help both rodents and humans maintain a healthy weight.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·November 15, 2018·4 min readSeeing and Smelling Food Prepares the Liver for Digestion: Mouse StudyResearchers say the sight and smell of food alone may be enough to prompt the liver to start the processes that help digest food.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·April 29, 2018·4 min readLink Between Exercise and Appetite Loss ExplainedResearchers report on the role the arcuate nucleus plays in metabolic regulation and appetite suppression following exercise.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscience·April 18, 2018·6 min readLeptin’s Neural Circuit IdentifiedA new gene editing study reveals how the hormone leptin can help to prevent diabetes and obesity.Read More
FeaturedGeneticsNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience Articles·February 20, 2018·5 min readClues to Obesity’s Roots Found in Brain’s Quality Control ProcessFindings could pave the way for new treatments for obesity, especially in those with a genetic predisposition, researchers report.Read More
