Brainstem Integrative Function in the Central Nervous System Control of Food Intake

摘要: The caudal brainstem lies at a critical nexus in the neural hierarchy that helps determine negative feedback control of ingestion. It is first central nervous system site receives input from vagal and nonvagal visceral afferents convey not only meal-related signals postoral sites reflecting chemical, mechanical nutrient properties ingested foods, but also responses to stimulated peptides neurotransmitters via extrinsic gut afferent receptors. In addition, circumventricular area postrema (AP) affords access circulating factors are released during meal, as well adiposity hormones reflect availability stored nutrients. Brainstem neurons themselves express eating modulatory neuropeptides their cognate receptors, raising possibility local ligand-receptor interactions contribute basis behavior. Finally, forebrain hypothalamic projections extend respond humoral post-oral peripheral afferents, providing descending influences food intake [1]. This article characterizes recent advances our understanding how peripheral, brainstem-intrinsic may converge reduce intake, with focus on roles meal size.