Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.
Science Signaling

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Sci. STKE, 1 November 2005
Vol. 2005, Issue 308, p. tw386
[DOI: 10.1126/stke.3082005tw386]

EDITORS' CHOICE

PHYSIOLOGY Appetite and the Adaptive Brain

Appetite and energy balance are regulated by the hypothalamic region of the brain, and considerable progress has been made in defining the underlying neural circuitry. Two studies underscore the emerging idea that these feeding circuits are not firmly "hardwired" but rather exhibit remarkable plasticity, even in adults. Luquet et al. show that specific neurons that are strictly required for the regulation of food intake in adult mice can be removed without detriment in newborn mice, which suggests that the feeding circuitry can readily adapt to change early in life. Kokoeva et al. make the surprising observation that a neurotrophic factor that induces sustained weight loss in adult mice does so by stimulating the proliferation of hypothalamic neurons. Pharmacological inhibition of this neurogenesis compromised the capacity of the neurotrophic factor to induce long-term weight loss. Hypothalamic plasticity thus adds another potentially important layer of complexity to the regulation of body weight.

S. Luquet, F. A. Perez, T. S. Hnasko, R. D. Palmiter, NPY/AgRP neurons are essential for feeding in adult mice but can be ablated in neonates. Science 310, 683-685 (2005). [Abstract] [Full Text]

M. V. Kokoeva, H. Yin, J. S. Flier, Neurogenesis in the hypothalamus of adult mice: Potential role in energy balance. Science 310, 679-683 (2005). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Citation: Appetite and the Adaptive Brain. Sci. STKE 2005, tw386 (2005).

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT

To Advertise     Find Products

Science Signaling. ISSN 1937-9145 (pre-2008: Science's STKE. ISSN 1525-8882)