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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Real-time Analysis of Gut-brain Neural Communication: Cortex wide Calcium Dynamics in Response to Intestinal Glucose Stimulation
Published on: December 29, 2023
Agouti-related peptide-expressing neurons are mandatory for feeding
Eva Gropp1, Marya Shanabrough, Erzsebet Borok
1Institute for Genetics and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), Department of Mouse Genetics and Metabolism, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47, 50674 Köln, Germany.
Abstract:
Multiple hormones controlling energy homeostasis regulate the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Nevertheless, inactivation of the genes encoding NPY and/or AgRP has no impact on food intake in mice. Here we demonstrate that induced selective ablation of AgRP-expressing neurons in adult mice results in acute reduction of feeding, demonstrating direct evidence for a critical role of these neurons in the regulation of energy homeostasis.

