Possible cells to be blamed for junk food thought

A region of the brain called the amygdala is responsible for powerful emotions like fear. Now, researchers have found the amygdala may also be to blame for overeating. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) Professor Bo Li has discovered a group of neurons in the amygdala that drives mice to eat fatty or sugary foods-even when they're not hungry. Therapeutics targeting these neurons could lead to new treatments for obesity with minimal side effects.

Like most people, mice also tend to find foods high in fat and sugar the tastiest. They may indulge in these treats for pleasure, rather than for survival. The neurons Li and his colleagues studied trigger this behavior, called hedonic eating.

Metabolic processes in the body often reverse any progress that's made. Therapeutics can help increase the odds of successful treatment, but many drugs have unwanted side effects. "The medications currently available to aid weight management can cause significant side effects. So, a more targeted approach is needed,"the authors said. "Identifying the brain circuitry that controls eating is important for developing better treatment options for people who struggle to control their weight."

When the team switched off the specific neurons, mice weren't drawn to the fatty, sugary foods that had tempted them before. "They just happily ate and stayed healthy," the rseearchers said. "They not only stopped gaining weight, but also seemed to be much healthier overall." Switching these neurons off reduced overeating and protected against obesity. It also boosted the animals' physical activity, leading to weight loss and better metabolic health.

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JOURNAL Bo Li et al,Nature Neuroscience DOI 10.1038/s41593-022-01178-3