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The Origins of Hunger Regulation
A neuropeptide suppressed feeding in two evolutionarily distant species, suggesting that hunger regulation may go back to the roots of the tree of life.
The Origins of Hunger Regulation
The Origins of Hunger Regulation

A neuropeptide suppressed feeding in two evolutionarily distant species, suggesting that hunger regulation may go back to the roots of the tree of life.

A neuropeptide suppressed feeding in two evolutionarily distant species, suggesting that hunger regulation may go back to the roots of the tree of life.

appetite

multiple generations of family members eating at outdoor table
Sun Exposure Triggers Hunger in Men but Not Women, Study Suggests
Shafaq Zia | Jul 12, 2022 | 4 min read
Ultraviolet radiation leads to secretion of an appetite-boosting hormone in male mice, but experts say it’s not yet clear whether the mechanism applies to humans.
Hippocampal neurons are labeled in blue and purple on a black background
New Role for Leptin: Promoting Synapse Formation in Rat Neurons
Abby Olena, PhD | May 20, 2021 | 3 min read
The hormone, which is well known for regulating appetite, appears to influence neuronal development—a finding that could shed light on disorders such as autism that involve dysfunctional synapse formation.
Doubts Raised About Brain Stimulation to Reduce Food Cravings
Abby Olena, PhD | Jan 10, 2019 | 4 min read
Despite previous positive reports, researchers didn’t see transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) cut back on people’s urges or eating.
Just the Sight of Food Gets the Liver Ready for Action
Abby Olena, PhD | Nov 15, 2018 | 3 min read
In mice, seeing and smelling food causes immediate cellular changes that ready the liver to convert incoming amino acids to proteins.
Canada Could Come to the Fore in Cannabis Research
Ashley Yeager | Jul 6, 2018 | 4 min read
The coming legalization of recreational marijuana is already increasing funding for studies, but regulations on such research have been slow to change.
Exercise Warms the Brain, Causing Mice to Eat Less
Kerry Grens | Apr 24, 2018 | 1 min read
Directly activating a heat sensor also sensitive to capsaicin in chili peppers in the hypothalamus had the same effect as exercise.
Hormone Released by Bone Suppresses Appetite
Abby Olena, PhD | Mar 8, 2017 | 3 min read
A protein secreted by osteoblasts crosses the blood-brain barrier to regulate hunger in mice.
Fat Labs
Tanya Lewis | May 4, 2016 | 1 min read
The tendency of Labrador retrievers to overeat is tied to their genes, researchers report.
Controlling Cravings
Jef Akst | Dec 29, 2015 | 1 min read
A hormone made in the liver controls how much sugar mice eat, according to a study.
Another Obesity Drug Trial Death
Kerry Grens | Dec 2, 2015 | 2 min read
A second patient taking an experimental medication to treat Prader-Willi Syndrome has died of blood clots.
Allele Linked to Obesity in People
Kerry Grens | Nov 3, 2015 | 1 min read
A single nucleotide polymorphism in BDNF is tied with lower levels of the protein and higher body-mass index.
Battling the Bulge
Bob Grant | Nov 1, 2015 | 6 min read
Weight-loss drugs that target newly characterized obesity-related receptors and pathways could finally offer truly effective fat control.
Neuroscience of Marijuana Munchies
Ruth Williams | Feb 18, 2015 | 3 min read
Cannabinoids cause appetite-suppressing neurons to produce an appetite-stimulating hormone in mice.
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