The same neurons that control appetite are also related tosearch for novelties and attraction to drugs, according to a study published in the journalNature Neuroscience.
Until now, scientists have studied the brain’s reward circuits thinking that, in patients with obesity and diabetes, food has the same effects as the abuse of drugs such as cocaine. However, the latest study, conducted by researchers at Yale University, seems to indicate otherwise.
The researchers carried out various tests on transgenic mice in which the expression of AgRP neurons, which regulate appetite, had been altered or completely blocked during the animals’ development. “Using genetic techniques, we have found thatincreased appetite could be associated with a decrease in interest in new things and substances such as cocaine“explains Marcelo O. Dietrich, one of the authors.” And, on the contrary, a lower interest in food is indicative of a greater inclination towards cocaine “.
The authors argue that the hypothalamus, which controls vital functions such as temperature, hunger, fatigue or sleep, is also key to the development of other higher brain functions. “These hunger-promoting neurons are also very important for other functions. Their deterioration can alter motivation and other cognitive processes,” explains Tamas L. Horvath, another of the researchers responsible. “Obesity is thought to be related to reward circuits in the brain,” he adds, “but in our study we found that, although the reward mechanism is high, subjects can be very thin. At the same time, this indicates that there is groups of people who are not interested in food and are more likely to become addicted to drugs. “
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