Scientists identify neurons in the brainstem that appear to regulate when we stop eating, potentially paving the way for new treatments for obesity.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the neural mechanisms controlling our eating habits. In a study published in the journal * Science *, researchers identified a group of specialized neurons in the brainstem, a region evolutionarily conserved across mammals, that appear to regulate meal termination.
These neurons, responding to a symphony of signals generated during eating, integrate information about food quantity detected by oral receptors, gastric fullness, and circulating hunger hormones. This intricate interplay of cues ultimately triggers the sensation of satiety, prompting us to cease consuming.The study, conducted primarily in rodents, revealed that these neurons, known as cholecystokinin (CCK) neurons, play a critical role in determining meal size. By genetically modifying mice to control the activity of their CCK neurons using light, the researchers observed that activating these neurons led to significantly smaller meals compared to unmodified mice. Furthermore, the degree of activation directly correlated with the speed at which the modified mice stopped eating. These findings strongly suggest that CCK neurons act as a brake on food intake, controlling the duration and amount consumed during each meal.While the research is still in its nascent stages and further studies are needed to confirm the presence and function of analogous CCK neurons in the human brainstem, the implications are profound. If these findings translate to humans, they could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for obesity and other eating disorders. The discovery that CCK neurons can be activated by exendin-4, a drug already used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, opens exciting possibilities for repurposing existing medications to target overeating. Moreover, understanding the precise mechanisms by which these neurons regulate feeding behavior could lead to the development of more targeted and effective weight-management interventions
NEURONS BRAINSTEM EATING SATIETY OBESITY TREATMENT
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