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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...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
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Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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Regulation of Hormone Secretion01:19

Regulation of Hormone Secretion

Regulation of hormone secretion is a finely tuned orchestration driven by various types of stimuli, encompassing neural, humoral, and hormonal signals. Environmental cues instigate neural stimuli, where action potentials traverse nerve fibers to reach their designated targets. An illustrative scenario is the body's response to stress, wherein the sympathetic nervous system releases epinephrine from the adrenal glands, inducing the well-known 'fight or flight' reaction.
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Cell Specific Gene Expression01:58

Cell Specific Gene Expression

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Environment, leptin sensitivity, and hypothalamic plasticity.

Marco Mainardi1, Tommaso Pizzorusso, Margherita Maffei

  • 1CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy. m.mainardi@in.cnr.it

Neural Plasticity
|August 24, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Environmental stimuli like exercise and diet can alter brain sensitivity to leptin, a key hormone in feeding behavior regulation. Understanding this neural plasticity in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) is vital for obesity research.

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

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis
08:34

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

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05:45

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Published on: October 25, 2019

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

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Leptin is a critical hormone regulating feeding behavior through the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus.
  • While leptin's central and peripheral actions are understood, mechanisms modulating brain sensitivity to leptin are less clear.
  • Pathological obesity is linked to high leptin levels, highlighting the need to understand sensitivity modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on environmental stimuli-induced neural plasticity in the ARC.
  • To explore the role of leptin in extrahypothalamic plasticity.
  • To propose an integrated view of how leptin regulates diverse brain functions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on environmental modulation of ARC.
  • Analysis of protocols such as physical exercise, high-fat diet, caloric restriction, and environmental enrichment.
  • Examination of leptin's role in extrahypothalamic plasticity.

Main Results:

  • Environmental stimuli induce plasticity in the ARC, influencing feeding behavior regulation.
  • Key molecules with translational potential can be identified through these protocols.
  • Leptin plays a role in plasticity beyond the hypothalamus.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental factors significantly impact neural plasticity in the ARC, affecting leptin sensitivity.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing novel obesity treatments.
  • Leptin's influence extends to diverse brain functions through its role in plasticity.