Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Concept Development and Use of an Automated Food Intake and Eating Behavior Assessment Method
Published on: February 19, 2021
Impact of Brain Insulin Signaling on Dopamine Function, Food Intake, Reward, and Emotional Behavior
André Kleinridders1,2, Emmanuel N Pothos3
1Central Regulation of Metabolism, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke, Arthur-Scheunert-Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany. andre.kleinridders@dife.de.
Purpose Of Review:
Dietary obesity is primarily attributed to an imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Adherence to lifestyle interventions reducing weight is typically low. As a result, obesity becomes a chronic state with increased co-morbidities such as insulin resistance and diabetes. We review the effects of brain insulin action and dopaminergic signal transmission on food intake, reward, and mood as well as potential modulations of these systems to counteract the obesity epidemic.
Recent Findings:
Central insulin and dopamine action are interlinked and impact on food intake, reward, and mood. Brain insulin resistance causes hyperphagia, anxiety, and depressive-like behavior and compromises the dopaminergic system. Such effects can induce reduced compliance to medical treatment. Insulin receptor sensitization and dopamine receptor agonists show attenuation of obesity and improvement of mental health in rodents and humans. Modulating brain insulin and dopamine signaling in obese patients can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Physiology of Emotion
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Emotional Expression
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
What is Behavior?

