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Similarities in hypothalamic and mesocorticolimbic circuits regulating the overconsumption of food and alcohol
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Similarities in hypothalamic and mesocorticolimbic circuits regulating the overconsumption of food and alcohol

Jessica R. Barson, Irene Morganstern and Sarah F. Leibowitz
Physiology & behavior, v 104(1), pp 128-137
01 May 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.04.054
PMID: 21549731
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
url
https://europepmc.org/articles/pmc3107929View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

ethanol fat hypothalamus lipids mesocorticolimbic peptides
Historically, studies of food intake regulation started with the hypothalamus and gradually expanded to mesocorticolimbic regions, while studies of drug use began with mesocorticolimbic regions and now include the hypothalamus. As research on ingestive behavior has progressed, it has uncovered more and more similarities between the regulation of palatable food and drug intake. It has also identified specific neurochemicals involved in palatable food and drug intake. Hypothalamic orexigenic neurochemicals specifically involved in controlling fat ingestion, including galanin, enkephalin, orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone, show positive feedback with this macronutrient, with these peptides both increasing fat intake and being further stimulated by its intake. This positive relationship offers some explanation for why foods high in fat are so often overconsumed. Research in Bart Hoebel’s laboratory in conjunction with our own has shown that consumption of ethanol, a drug of abuse that also contains calories, is similarly driven by these neurochemical systems involved in fat intake, consistent with evidence closely relating fat and ethanol consumption. Both fat and ethanol intake are also regulated by dopamine and acetylcholine acting in mesocorticolimbic nuclei. This close relationship of fat and ethanol is likely driven in part by circulating lipids, which are increased by fat and ethanol intake, known to increase expression and levels of the neurochemicals, and found to promote further intake of fat and ethanol. Compellingly, recent studies suggest that these systems may already be dysregulated in animals prone to consuming excess fat or ethanol, even before they have ever been exposed to these substances. Further understanding of these systems involved in consummatory behavior will allow researchers to develop effective therapies for the treatment of overeating as well as drug abuse.

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38 citations in Web of Science
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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Web of Science research areas
Behavioral Sciences
Psychology, Biological
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