Can Memory Influence What and How Much We Eat? Study Sheds Light
In a new study researchers have identified the brain's food-specific memory system and its direct role in overeating and diet-induced obesity. The findings are present in nature metabolism.
The study describes a specific population of neurons in the mouse brain that encode memories for sugar and fat, profoundly impacting food intake and body weight.
These neurons encode memories of the spatial location of nutrient-rich foods, acting as a “memory trace,” particularly for sugar and fat. Silencing these neurons impairs an animal's ability to recall sugar-related memories, reduces sugar consumption, and prevents weight gain, even when animals are exposed to diets that contribute to excessive weight gain. Conversely, reactivating these neurons enhances memory for food, increasing consumption and demonstrating how food memories influence dietary behavior.
These findings introduce two new concepts: first, evidence that specific neurons in the brain store food-related memories, and second, that these memories directly impact food intake. The study’s findings open new possibilities for addressing overeating and obesity.
“While it’s no surprise that we remember pleasurable food experiences, it was long assumed that these memories had little to no impact on eating behavior,” said Monell Associate Member Guillaume de Lartigue, PhD. “What’s most surprising is that inhibition of these neurons prevents weight gain, even in response to diets rich in fat and sugar.”
“These neurons are critical for linking sensory cues to food intake,” said Dr. de Lartigue. “Their ability to influence both memory and metabolism makes them promising targets for treating obesity in today’s food-rich world.”
Reference: Yang, M., Singh, A., de Araujo, A. et al. Separate orexigenic hippocampal ensembles shape dietary choice by enhancing contextual memory and motivation. Nat Metab (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01194-6
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