Scientists Discover The Way In Which Our Brains Govern Hunger

A new drug that 'switches off' food cravings is on the horizon after scientists discover the way in which our brains govern hunger

 

• Researchers used a tiny periscope to access part of brain not accessed before
• Allowed them to gain deeper understanding of how we react to food cues 
• Certain hunger-promoting neurons can be artificially turned on even when full
• Hopes that these same neurons can be turned off to reduce food cravings
• Could help obese people with a'faulty' hard wiring that causes overeating 
• 'It's a major advance to learn that we can artificially turn them on,' says expert

A new drug that 'switches off' our food cravings could be possible after a breakthrough in understanding the way our brains govern hunger. Scientists have identified the mechanism by which we feel hunger and then choose whether or not to reach for the biscuit jar. 

Researchers made the discovery thanks to a pioneering new use of a tiny periscope which allowed them to see neurons in a previously unobservable part of the brain. 

Their findings could help people with 'faulty' hard wiring in their brain that does not allow them to stop eating when full.   

'To put it simply, when you're hungry, the picture of a cheeseburger may be extremely appealing and effective in influencing your behavior,' explained lead author Yoav Livneh, postdoctoral fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard University.

Scientists think they can switch off neurons in the brain causing us to seek our more food (file)

'But if your belly is full after eating a big meal, the same cheeseburger picture will be unappealing. 

'We think that the pathway we discovered from hunger-promoting neurons to a region of the brain called the insular cortex plays an important role here.' 

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