Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Food Intake

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...

Integration of Synaptic Events

Integration of Synaptic Events

Synaptic integration mainly includes the summation of graded potentials. Graded potentials, regardless of their type, cause subtle alterations in membrane voltage, resulting in either depolarization or hyperpolarization. These incremental changes, when combined or summed, can propel the neuron toward its threshold. Consider, for example, a membrane experiencing a +15 mV shift, causing it to depolarize from -70 mV to -55 mV. In this scenario, graded potentials govern the membrane's ability to...

Energy Balance

Energy Balance

The human body gets energy from the three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Energy is released when the chemical bonds in the organic compounds present in the food are broken down. The energy content of food is measured in kilocalories (kcal), defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius. This value is determined by measuring the temperature change of the water surrounding a calorimeter after the complete...

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when presynaptic neurons...

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term Potentiation

Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A causal link between autoantibodies and neurological symptoms in long COVID.

Cell·2026

Same author

Glycogen drives the sensory activation of POMC neurons.

Nature metabolism·2026

Same author

Publisher Correction: GLP-1R-GIPR-PPARα/γ/δ quintuple agonism corrects obesity and diabetes in mice.

Nature·2026

Same author

GLP-1R-GIPR-PPARα/γ/δ quintuple agonism corrects obesity and diabetes in mice.

Nature·2026

Same author

Deletion of Mfn2 in endothelial cells triggers a mitohormetic response that improves systemic metabolism and healthspan in mice.

Cell metabolism·2026

Same author

Noradrenergic control of bone marrow and thymus by AgRP neurons is impaired in experimental multiple sclerosis.

Cell reports·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Simultaneous Detection of c-Fos Activation from Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Dopamine Reward Sites Following Naive Sugar and Fat Ingestion in Rats

Simultaneous Detection of c-Fos Activation from Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Dopamine Reward Sites Following Naive Sugar and Fat Ingestion in Rats

Published on: August 24, 2016

Synaptic plasticity in energy balance regulation.

Tamas L Horvath¹

¹Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 375 Congress Ave. LSOG 117, PO Box 208016, New Haven, CT 06510-8016, USA. tamas.horvath@yale.edu

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)

|October 6, 2006

Summary

Leptin rapidly normalizes synaptic density in the hypothalamus, influencing energy balance before affecting food intake. Hormonal regulation of brain synapses highlights a key mechanism for metabolic control.

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Simultaneous Detection of c-Fos Activation from Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Dopamine Reward Sites Following Naive Sugar and Fat Ingestion in Rats

Simultaneous Detection of c-Fos Activation from Mesolimbic and Mesocortical Dopamine Reward Sites Following Naive Sugar and Fat Ingestion in Rats

Published on: August 24, 2016

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Evaluation of Synaptic Multiplicity Using Whole-cell Patch-clamp Electrophysiology

Published on: April 23, 2019

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Endocrinology
Metabolic Regulation

Background:

Leptin is a key hormone regulating energy balance by acting on hypothalamic neurons, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons.
Leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice exhibit altered synaptic structure and function in these hypothalamic neurons compared to wild-type mice.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the rapid effects of leptin on synaptic plasticity in the hypothalamus of ob/ob mice.
To determine if synaptic plasticity induced by metabolic hormones is leptin-specific, by examining the effects of ghrelin and estradiol.
To explore the role of synaptic plasticity in mediating the behavioral effects of peripheral metabolic hormones.

Main Methods:

Utilized leptin-deficient (ob/ob) and leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mouse models.
Assessed synaptic density and currents in hypothalamic neurons (NPY, POMC) following hormone administration.
Compared the effects of leptin, ghrelin, and estradiol on synaptic plasticity and feeding behavior.

Main Results:

Leptin administration to ob/ob mice rapidly normalized synaptic density and currents within 6 hours, preceding changes in food intake.
Ghrelin altered synapses in wild-type mice to suppress POMC neuron activity.
Estradiol induced leptin-independent synaptic plasticity in POMC neurons, leading to reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure, effects observed in ob/ob and db/db mice.

Conclusions:

Leptin-mediated synaptic plasticity in the hypothalamus is a rapid process that may underlie its behavioral effects on energy balance.
Synaptic plasticity, induced by hormones like estradiol independently of leptin signaling, is a significant mechanism by which peripheral metabolic hormones influence brain function.
Hormonal regulation of synaptic plasticity across various brain regions is a fundamental pathway for controlling energy homeostasis.