Journal article
Leptin Regulates Energy Balance and Motivation Through Action at Distinct Neural Circuits
Biological psychiatry (1969), Vol.69(7), pp.668-674
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/106661
PMCID: PMC3058141
PMID: 21035790
Abstract
Overconsumption of calorically dense foods contributes substantially to the current obesity epidemic. The adiposity hormone leptin has been identified as a potential modulator of reward-induced feeding. The current study asked whether leptin signaling within the lateral hypothalamus (LH) and midbrain is involved in effort-based responding for food rewards and/or the modulation of mesolimbic dopamine.
The contribution of endogenous leptin signaling for food motivation and mesolimbic dopamine tone was examined after viral-mediated reduction of the leptin receptor within LH and midbrain neurons in male rats.
Knockdown of leptin receptors selectively in the LH caused increased body weight, caloric consumption, and body fat in rats maintained on a calorically dense diet. Knockdown of leptin receptors selectively in midbrain augmented progressive ratio responding for sucrose and restored high-fat, diet-induced suppression of dopamine content in the nucleus accumbens.
In summary, endogenous leptin signaling in the hypothalamus restrains the overconsumption of calorically dense foods and the consequent increase in body mass, whereas leptin action in the midbrain regulates effort-based responding for food rewards and mesolimbic dopamine tone. These data highlight the ability of leptin to regulate overconsumption of palatable foods and food motivation through pathways that mediate energy homeostasis and reward, respectively.
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Details
- Title
- Leptin Regulates Energy Balance and Motivation Through Action at Distinct Neural Circuits
- Creators
- Jon F Davis - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioDerrick L Choi - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioJennifer D Schurdak - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioMaureen F Fitzgerald - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioDeborah J Clegg - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioJack W Lipton - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OhioDianne P Figlewicz - R&D , Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, University of Washington, Seattle, WashingtonStephen C Benoit - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Publication Details
- Biological psychiatry (1969), Vol.69(7), pp.668-674
- Academic Unit
- Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900546800001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article