Researchers at Rockefeller University discover a three-neuron circuit connecting hunger hormones to chewing in the hypothalamus.

Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a three-neuron circuit in the hypothalamus that connects hunger hormones to jaw movements for chewing. This finding suggests that the impulse to eat may function more like a reflex. Inhibiting these neurons causes increased food intake and chewing without food, while stimulation reduces eating. This research could lead to new insights into obesity and potential treatments for eating disorders.

October 23, 2024
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