Energy balance
Genetic ablation of lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) glutamatergic neurons increases daily caloric intake and body weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet without altering general locomotor activity.
This research identifies a specific neural circuit (LHA glutamatergic neurons projecting to the lateral habenula) that acts as a brake on overeating palatable, high-fat foods. When this brake is removed, mice consume more calories and gain weight, even without changes in movement. This suggests that obesity may involve specific neural circuit failures rather than just a lack of willpower or general metabolic slowdown.
Genetic ablation of LHA glutamatergic neurons increased daily caloric intake and produced weight gain in mice that had access to a high-fat diet, while not altering general locomotor activity.
Why this rating
High-quality experimental design using genetic ablation and optogenetics in a controlled animal model, though results are specific to mice.
Source
Lateral Hypothalamic Area Glutamatergic Neurons and Their Projections to the Lateral Habenula Regulate Feeding and Reward
Alice M. Stamatakis et al. · Journal of Neuroscience · 2016
DOI 10.1523/jneurosci.1202-15.2016
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