Deconstruction of a neural circuit for hunger

Deniz ATASOY; J Nicholas Betley; Helen H SU; Scott M STERNSON

doi:10.1038/nature11270

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Deconstruction of a neural circuit for hunger

Journal article

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Deconstruction of a neural circuit for hunger

Deniz ATASOY, J Nicholas Betley, Helen H SU and Scott M STERNSON

Nature (London), Vol.488(7410), pp.172-177

2012

DOI: 10.1038/nature11270

PMCID: PMC3416931

PMID: 22801496

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3416931View

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Abstract

Hunger is a complex behavioural state that elicits intense food seeking and consumption. These behaviours are rapidly recapitulated by activation of starvation-sensitive AGRP neurons, which present an entry point for reverse-engineering neural circuits for hunger. Here we mapped synaptic interactions of AGRP neurons with multiple cell populations in mice and probed the contribution of these distinct circuits to feeding behaviour using optogenetic and pharmacogenetic techniques. An inhibitory circuit with paraventricular hypothalamus (PVH) neurons substantially accounted for acute AGRP neuron-evoked eating, whereas two other prominent circuits were insufficient. Within the PVH, we found that AGRP neurons target and inhibit oxytocin neurons, a small population that is selectively lost in Prader-Willi syndrome, a condition involving insatiable hunger. By developing strategies for evaluating molecularly defined circuits, we show that AGRP neuron suppression of oxytocin neurons is critical for evoked feeding. These experiments reveal a new neural circuit that regulates hunger state and pathways associated with overeating disorders.

Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology

Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs

Biological and medical sciences

Details

Title: Subtitle: Deconstruction of a neural circuit for hunger
Creators: Deniz ATASOY - Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive Ashburn, Virginia 20147, United States
J Nicholas Betley - Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive Ashburn, Virginia 20147, United States
Helen H SU - Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive Ashburn, Virginia 20147, United States
Scott M STERNSON - Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive Ashburn, Virginia 20147, United States
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Nature (London), Vol.488(7410), pp.172-177
DOI: 10.1038/nature11270
PMID: 22801496
PMCID: PMC3416931
NLM abbreviation: Nature
ISSN: 0028-0836
eISSN: 1476-4687
Publisher: Nature Publishing Group; London
Language: English
Date published: 2012
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Record Identifier: 9984040273402771

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