Falling asleep after a big meal: Neuronal regulation of satiety

C. elegans has become an ideal model to study genetics of appetite control and energy metabolism because of its robust conservation in molecular mechanisms underlying appetite control and in regulation of the relevant feeding behavior. Satiety behavior in worms in particular shows striking similarities to that in mammals, as a worm becomes quiescent after a big meal, mimicking post-prandial sleep in mammals. Here we review our recent finding regarding the neuronal regulation of the behavior and the implication of the finding such as cyclicity of behavioral states. Based on the finding, we propose a rather speculative but intriguing view of how metabolism could link to post-prandial sleep.