Tag Archive for 'Hypothalamus'

Orexigenic appetitive processing relies on the integration of sensory, interoceptive and hormonal signals to govern consummatory behaviors. Dysregulation of this process leads to maladaptive eating behavior such as binge eating and is associated with obesity. This circuit, however, was elusive in humans --- until now. Image credit: Barbosa et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-06459-w.

Neuroscientists Find Link between Appetite and Memory in Human Brain

Sep 5, 2023 by News Staff

Obese individuals possess impaired connections between the dorsolateral hippocampus and the lateral hypothalamus, which may impact their ability to control...

Mazor et al showed that, in rodents, obesity induced matrix MMP-2 activation in the hypothalamus. In turn, MMP-2 activation reduced leptin-mediated signaling by promoting leptin receptor degradation. MMP-2 deletion in the hypothalamus increased leptin receptor expression and reduced fat accumulation in mice fed a high-fat diet. Image credit: Mazor et al, doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah6324.

Researchers Discover Destructive Mechanism that Causes ‘Leptin Resistance’ Phenomenon

Aug 24, 2018 by News Staff

Obesity is associated with increased blood concentrations of the anorexigenic hormone leptin; however, obese individuals are resistant to its anorexigenic...

African grass rats (Arvicanthis niloticus) exposed to dim lights (DLD) for four weeks experienced, on average, a 30% decrease in the number of ‘dendritic spine’ connections in their brains, which are the tiny protrusions near the solid green line, a dendrite. These rats performed poorly on a maze-like task. Rats exposed to bright light (BLD), on the other hand, had many more of the dendritic connections and showed superior performance on the task. Image credit: Michigan State University.

Dim Light Makes Us Dumber, New Study Suggests

Feb 7, 2018 by News Staff

According to a new study published in the journal Hippocampus, spending too much time in dimly-lit environment may change the brain’s structure and hurt...

Electron microscopic images (false color) of hypothalamic neural stem/progenitor cells. Right - high magnification of the outlined area on the left; arrows indicate the presence of multivescular bodies. Image credit: Zhang et al, doi: 10.1038/nature23282.

Hypothalamic Stem Cells Control Aging in Mice

Jul 31, 2017 by News Staff

In a study in mice, a research team at Albert Einstein College of Medicine has found that stem cells in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls...

Astrocyte cell. Image credit: Gerry Shaw / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Glial Cells Play Critical Role in Control of Appetite, Study Shows

Oct 28, 2016 by News Staff

Glial cells – non-neuronal brain cells that provide structural, nutritional and other supports to the brain — play a critical role in controlling...