| Theme |
Obesity and Digestive Organ |
| Title |
Mechanisms of Appetite Regulation |
| Author |
Namiko Kawamura |
Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences |
| Author |
Goro Katsuura |
Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences |
| Author |
Akihiro Asakawa |
Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences |
| [ Summary ] |
Feeding behavior is important for maintaining energy homeostasis and is mainly regulated by both blood‒borne signals and the central nervous system (CNS). In particular, the hypothalamus in the CNS maintaining homeostasis and the mesolimbic dopamine system as the reward system are involved in the regulation of feeding behavior. With the development of dietary culture, palatable foods, such as high‒calorie diets and sucrose, are considered natural rewards, and the preference and reinforcement of palatable foods are involved in the regulation of feeding behavior. In addition, stress is known to regulate feeding behavior via the corticolimbic system, which regulates emotion and memory and includes the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Eating disorders are attributed to the dysfunction of the corticolimbic system, as well as the hypothalamus and mesolimbic dopamine system. |