Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Food Intake01:30

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...
Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination01:23

Diencephalon: Hypothalamus and Coordination

The hypothalamus is a small yet highly complex and essential brain region that plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions. Anatomically, it is located at the base of the brain, just above the brainstem and below the thalamus, forming part of the limbic system.
The hypothalamus interacts with other brain regions, including the pituitary gland, through a direct physical connection called the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The hypothalamus receives somatic and visceral inputs and...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Hypodermis01:02

Hypodermis

The hypodermis (the subcutaneous layer or superficial fascia) is present directly below the dermis. It connects the skin to the underlying fascia (fibrous tissue) of the bones and muscles. It is not strictly a part of the skin, although the border between the hypodermis and dermis can be difficult to distinguish. The hypodermis consists of well-vascularized, loose, areolar connective tissue and adipose tissue, which functions as a mode of fat storage and provides insulation and cushioning for...
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
Primary Motives: Hunger and Thirst01:25

Primary Motives: Hunger and Thirst

Hunger and thirst are fundamental physiological drives crucial for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring the survival of both humans and animals. These drives are regulated through complex interactions between the brain, hormones, and sensory receptors.
Hunger arises when the brain detects changes in the body's nutrient levels, including glucose, lipids, amino acids, and hormones such as ghrelin and leptin. The hypothalamus plays a central role in hunger regulation. The lateral hypothalamus acts...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

[Evidence, controversies, and research priorities regarding Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners (LNCS) in Latin America - Results of the First Latin American Scientific Forum on LNCS].

Nutricion hospitalaria·2026
Same author

Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners and Sweet Taste Exposure on Weight Management, Biomarkers of Health and Sweet Taste Preference-A Review of the Evidence from Recent European Consortia Studies.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

Long-term effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on gene expression markers of adipose tissue function, adipocyte morphology, and metabolic health: a SWEET substudy.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2026
Same author

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Free Sugar and Nonnutritive Sweetener Intake in Toddlerhood and Middle Childhood Using Data from the Gemini Twin Cohort: Findings from the SWEET Project.

The Journal of nutrition·2026
Same author

Acute and Prolonged Effects of Sweeteners and Sweetness Enhancers on Postprandial Appetite Sensations, Palatability, and Ad Libitum Energy Intake in Humans: A SWEET Sub-Study.

Nutrients·2026
Same author

The Association Between Affect and Adiposity in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review.

Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Isolation of Targeted Hypothalamic Neurons for Studies of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Electrical Regulation
09:29

Isolation of Targeted Hypothalamic Neurons for Studies of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Electrical Regulation

Published on: August 4, 2023

The hypothalamus and obesity.

Joanne A Harrold1, Jason C G Halford

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, UK. harrold@liverpool.ac.uk

Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery
|January 29, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Obesity is a global epidemic with limited effective treatments. This review explores brain signaling molecules like endocannabinoids and neuropeptides that regulate energy balance, offering potential targets for new anti-obesity drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Obesity is a widespread health crisis with few effective pharmacological interventions.
  • Current anti-obesity drugs offer limited weight loss and maintenance capabilities.
  • Complex central and peripheral neural circuits regulate energy homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key neurochemicals and peptides involved in regulating energy balance.
  • To highlight potential therapeutic targets for novel anti-obesity medications.
  • To discuss the role of brain-expressed molecules in food intake and energy expenditure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific articles on neurobiology of energy balance.
  • Focus on specific signaling molecules including endocannabinoids, Neuropeptide Y, Orexins, Melanin-Concentrating Hormone, Melanocortins, Cocaine and Amphetamine Regulated Transcript, and Serotonin.

More Related Videos

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy
08:47

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy

Published on: December 7, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Isolation of Targeted Hypothalamic Neurons for Studies of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Electrical Regulation
09:29

Isolation of Targeted Hypothalamic Neurons for Studies of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Electrical Regulation

Published on: August 4, 2023

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy
08:47

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy

Published on: December 7, 2017

  • Analysis of their influence on central and peripheral regulation of energy homeostasis.

    • Main Results:

    • Identified numerous brain-expressed peptides and neurotransmitters influencing energy balance.
    • Highlighted the complex interplay of these molecules in regulating food intake and energy expenditure.
    • Acknowledged the uncertainty regarding the precise role of many targets in human physiology.

    Conclusions:

    • Despite advances in understanding energy homeostasis, novel anti-obesity drugs are scarce.
    • Targeting specific neurochemical pathways in the brain presents a promising avenue for future obesity treatments.
    • Further research is needed to elucidate the exact relevance of these molecules in human energy balance and drug development.