Neuroscience of Obesity
Neuroscience of Obesity
Neuroscience of Obesity
The neuroscience of obesity involves understanding the neural mechanisms and pathways that regulate appetite, energy expenditure, and food intake. Over the years, research has shown that the brain plays a crucial role in the regulation of body weight, and disruptions in specific brain circuits can contribute to obesity.
Here's a brief overview of the neuroscience of obesity:
1. Central Regulation of Appetite and Food Intake:
Hypothalamus: This is a critical brain region for energy homeostasis. It contains several nuclei, including the arcuate nucleus (ARC), the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), which play essential roles in detecting and integrating signals related to energy balance.
Neuropeptides in the ARC: Neurons in the ARC produce two critical types of neuropeptides:
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-related peptide (AgRP): These are orexigenic, meaning they stimulate appetite.
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and Cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART): These are anorexigenic, meaning they suppress appetite.
2. Peripheral Signals Communicating with the Brain:
Leptin: Produced by fat cells, leptin signals the brain about energy storage levels. When fat stores are full, leptin levels increase, signaling the brain to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure. However, many obese individuals develop leptin resistance, where the brain no longer responds efficiently to leptin's signals.
Ghrelin: Produced by the stomach, ghrelin is often referred to as the "hunger hormone." When the stomach is empty, ghrelin levels rise and signal the brain to induce feelings of hunger. After eating, ghrelin levels drop.
3. Reward Systems and Eating Behavior:
Dopaminergic Reward Pathways: These pathways, particularly in the striatum, play a role in the pleasurable or rewarding aspects of food. Highly palatable, energy-dense foods (like sugary or fatty foods) can activate these reward circuits, sometimes leading to overeating.
Endocannabinoid System: This system can enhance the hedonic or pleasurable aspects of eating. Overactivity in this system can promote increased food intake, especially of palatable foods.
4. Prefrontal Cortex and Decision Making:
The prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making and impulse control. Dysfunctions or decreased activity in this region can lead to poor dietary choices or difficulty in resisting tempting foods.
5. Environmental and Neural Plasticity:
Chronic exposure to high-fat, high-sugar diets can change neural circuits, making the brain more responsive to food cues and possibly contributing to overeating.
6. Stress and Eating:
Stress can influence eating behaviors. The release of stress hormones like cortisol can promote increased intake of high-calorie "comfort" foods, leading to weight gain.
Future Directions and Treatments:
Understanding the neuroscience of obesity has led to potential therapeutic strategies, such as:
Targeting specific neural pathways with drugs.
Deep brain stimulation.
Cognitive-behavioral therapies to modify food-related behaviors and cravings.
In conclusion, obesity is a multifaceted disorder with genetic, environmental, behavioral, and neural components. Understanding the underlying neural mechanisms can provide valuable insights into its prevention and treatment.
Neuroscience 2023 and Artificial Intelligence
Neuroscience Meeting 2023 SBNeC - Summary of selected neuroscientific topics
(generated by ChatGPT):
Homeostasis Perception and Emotion in Panic
Antropologia Amerindia América Latina
Newborn Behavioral Observation
"Muscle matters: from human disease to human performance"
Transgenerational memories of trauma - epigenetic, physiological and mental health factors
Efeito de Realidade Virtual e Gamificação no Aprendizado
Vida moderna, Ritmos Biológicos, Sono, Homeostasia Fisiológica e Processos Cognitivos
Long-term cognitive and emotional impairments associated to hypercholesterolemia
Short- and long-term effects of ethanol on astrocyte functioning
Caffeine effects on brain development
Obesidade do neurodesenvolvimento ao envelhecimento
Repercussões fisiológicas e celulares da exposição aos pesticidas em períodos críticos do desenvolvimento
Distúrbios do Crescimento Celular
Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition
Cancer as a developmental disease
Scientific Question and Experimental Design
Epilepsy Neuroscience and Perception
Active Learning to Improve Engagement
The molecular basis of Exercise-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis
Neurochemical Underpinnings of Psychedelic-Induced Ego Dissolution
Recent advances in the neuroendocrine control of hydromineral homeostasis
Psychoneuroimmunology Immunoneuroendocrine interactions
Aproveitando a natureza dinâmica da memória para eliminar experiências traumáticas
Acerca da modificação de memórias episódicas
The biological response of ayahuasca
Variabilidade da frequência cardíaca como marcador da integração neurovisceral
Inteligência artificial, psicodélicos, e saúde mental
Efeitos do isolamento social e do enriquecimento ambiental na plasticidade do sistema nervoso
Neurociências e Educação: Reflexões sobre o Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH)
Cellular and molecular networks underlying psychiatric disorders
NEUROCIÊNCIAS E EDUCAÇÃO: PRÁTICAS BASEADAS EM EVIDÊNCIAS
O que sabemos hoje sobre as expressões faciais na psicopatia?
Aspectos Funcionais e Estruturais da Interação Glia-Neurônio
As bases neurobiológicas da aprendizagem e memória
O uso de jogos educacionais como estratégia de aprendizagem ativa
Processamento cerebral implícito - a construção de estereótipos
Neuroimagem funcional aplicada ao comportamento humano
O cérebro em tarefas cognitivas e no estado de repouso. Introdução à conectividade funcional
