Ghrelin at the interface of hunger, reward and obesity

Abstract Ghrelin, a stomach-derived hunger and appetite signal, drives behaviors that ensure we seek out consume foods, not only in situations of energy deficit but also when anticipating palatable foods. Key target pathways for ghrelin include the orexigenic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurones hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc), appear to confer unpleasant feelings hunger. They dopamine ventral tegmental area, where heightens motivation food rewards. Recently, have employed variety neural circuit mapping techniques rodents help clarify function populations ghrelin-responsive targets. We found 1) chemogenetic activation cells Arc is sufficient drive feeding response induce food-motivated behaviour 2) VTA are activated mice exposed cues predict reward than its retrieval, as revealed by fiber photometry recordings from these cells. Further studies aim determine role parabrachial brainstem. Overall, brain signalling system well positioned integrate hunger, enhanced both intrinsic external ways relevant curb over-eating obesity. Disclosure Interest None Declared