Neural Responses to Macronutrients: Hedonic and Homeostatic Mechanisms

• Published in: Gastroenterology (New York, N.Y. 1943) Vol. 148; no. 6; pp. 1205 - 1218
• Main Authors: Tulloch, Alastair J, Murray, Susan, Vaicekonyte, Regina, Avena, Nicole M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-05-2015
• Subjects: Animals; Appetite Regulation; Brain - metabolism; Brain - physiopathology; Diet - adverse effects; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Dietary Carbohydrates - adverse effects; Dietary Carbohydrates - metabolism; Dietary Fats - adverse effects; Dietary Fats - metabolism; Dietary Proteins - adverse effects; Dietary Proteins - metabolism; Dysregulation; Eating; Enteric Nervous System - physiopathology; Feeding Behavior; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gastrointestinal Tract - innervation; Gastrointestinal Tract - metabolism; Hedonic Mechanisms; Homeostasis; Homeostatic Mechanisms; Humans; Macronutrients; Neural Pathways - physiopathology; Obesity - metabolism; Obesity - physiopathology; Obesity - psychology; Philosophy; VTA; pro-opiomelanocorticotropin; prefrontal cortex; neuropeptide Y; PVN; agouti-related protein; mRNA; PFC; NAc; arcuate nucleus; messenger RNA; NPY; DRD1; DRD2; dopamine receptors D 2; Macronutrients; Homeostatic Mechanisms; Dysregulation; HFHS; nucleus accumbens; Hedonic Mechanisms; POMC; ARC; dopamine transporter; dopamine receptors; high fat, high sugar; ventral tegmental area; DAT; AGRP; paraventricular nucleus
• ISSN: 0016-5085; 1528-0012
• DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.12.058

The brain responds to macronutrients via intricate mechanisms. We review how the brain’s neural systems implicated in homeostatic control of feeding and hedonic responses are influenced by the ingestion of specific types of food. We discuss how these neural systems are dysregulated in preclinical models of obesity. Findings from these studies can increase our understanding of overeating and, perhaps in some cases, the development of obesity. In addition, a greater understanding of the neural circuits affected by the consumption of specific macronutrients, and by obesity, might lead to new treatments and strategies for preventing unhealthy weight gain.