High on food: the interaction between the neural circuits for feeding and for reward

Since the hippocampus integrates feeding-related signals with learning and memory processes to regulate feeding, Suarez et al. (2020) explored the gut-derived hormone ghrelin and its ability to act on the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) to increase meal size via interactions with gut-derived satiation signaling. The rodent behavioral neuropharmacological approach was adopted to assess feeding, interoceptive discrimination […]

While the two main components of the Western diet (saturated fats and simple carbohydrates) are linked with the development of obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, Kanoski & Davidson (2011) summarize the evidence indicating that the consumption of this Western diet is also associated with cognitive dysfunction. The focus is mainly on the learning and memory functions […]