Hormonal
Exogenous leptin replacement in genetically leptin-deficient adults reduces brain activation in hunger-processing regions (insula, parietal, temporal cortex) and enhances activation in satiety/inhibition regions (prefrontal cortex) when exposed to high-calorie food cues.
For individuals with confirmed genetic leptin deficiency, daily subcutaneous leptin replacement at physiological doses can significantly reduce hunger cues and shift brain activity from hunger-processing areas to satiety/inhibition areas when exposed to food cues. This is not a general weight-loss solution for typical obesity but a targeted therapy for a specific genetic condition.
During viewing of food-related stimuli, leptin replacement reduced brain activation in regions linked to hunger (insula, parietal and temporal cortex) while enhancing activation in regions linked to inhibition and satiety (prefrontal cortex).
Why this rating
Small sample size (n=3) limits generalizability, but the within-subject design and specific genetic deficiency provide high internal validity for this mechanism.
Source
Leptin replacement alters brain response to food cues in genetically leptin-deficient adults
Kate Baicy et al. · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2007
DOI 10.1073/pnas.0706481104
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