The role of ghrelin in regulating synaptic function and plasticity of feeding-associated circuits

Serrenho et al. (2019) describe ghrelin as an appetite-stimulating hormone produced by peripheral organs that play a part in signaling pathways when the energy status of the body changes, and regulate food intake, body weight, and glucose homeostasis. It has also been claimed by research studies that ghrelin is involved in cognition, and hedonic (pleasure-related) and homeostatic feeding. Since ghrelin-induced synaptic plasticity has been mentioned in neuronal circuits associated with aforementioned behaviors, this review inspected the neuromodulatory mechanisms induced by ghrelin in regulating synaptic plasticity in the circuits previously linked with feeding behaviors. As well as its connection with feeding behaviors, modified ghrelin concentrations is believed to correlate with metabolic disorders such as obesity and anorexia, emphasizing the importance of better understanding ghrelin and its impact on the synaptic plasticity of influential neuronal circuits. [NPID: perception, ghrelin, regulation, glucose homeostasis, cognition, hedonic, homeostatic feeding, plasticity, metabolic disorders, obesity, anorexia, neuronal circuits]

Year: 2019

Reference: Serrenho, D., Santos, S. D., & Carvalho, A. L. (2019). The Role of Ghrelin in Regulating Synaptic Function and Plasticity of Feeding-Associated Circuits. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 13, 205. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2019.00205

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