The brain plays a key role in the controls of energy intake and expenditure, and many genes
associated with obesity are expressed in the central nervous system. Technological and …

Accumulated evidence from genetic animal models suggests that the brain, particularly the
hypothalamus, has a key role in the homeostatic regulation of energy and glucose …

The gut is now recognized as a major regulator of motivational and emotional states.
However, the relevant gut-brain neuronal circuitry remains unknown. We show that optical …

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate the rewarding actions of
nicotine contained in tobacco that establish and maintain the smoking habit. nAChRs also …

Food is a potent natural reward and food intake is a complex process. Reward and
gratification associated with food consumption leads to dopamine (DA) production, which in …

The central melanocortin system is perhaps the best-characterized neuronal pathway
involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. This collection of circuits is unique in …

Over the past two centuries, prevalent models of energy and glucose homeostasis have
emerged from careful anatomical descriptions in tandem with an understanding of cellular …

Background & Aims: Visceral sensory information is transmitted to the brain through the
afferent vagus nerve. Ghrelin, a peptide primarily produced in the stomach, stimulates both …

The hedonic properties of food can stimulate feeding behaviour even when energy
requirements have been met, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Similarly, the hedonic …

The global obesity epidemic has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. However, the
medical treatment of obesity is limited. Gastric bypass is an effective surgical treatment but …