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Updated: Nov 18, 2025
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
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Serotonin, food intake, and obesity
Katy A van Galen1, Kasper W Ter Horst1, Mireille J Serlie1
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Serotonin influences food intake through brain circuits regulating energy balance and reward. Understanding these complex serotonin pathways is key to addressing obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Metabolism
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Food intake is regulated by homeostatic and hedonic brain circuits.
- Serotonin (5-HT) plays a dual role in suppressing appetite via homeostatic pathways and modulating reward-driven eating.
- Peripheral serotonin impacts energy absorption and storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of central and peripheral serotonin in regulating food intake.
- To explore the complexity of serotonin signaling in different brain regions and receptor subtypes.
- To discuss the link between disturbed serotonergic signaling and obesity, and potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on serotonin and food intake regulation.
- Analysis of serotonergic signaling in homeostatic and hedonic brain circuits.
- Examination of serotonin receptor subtypes and their downstream effects.
Main Results:
- Serotonin suppresses food intake in the homeostatic circuitry by integrating metabolic signals.
- Serotonin may decrease reward-based food consumption in the hedonic circuitry.
- Dysfunctional serotonin signaling is implicated in obesity.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin's complex role in food intake involves both homeostatic and hedonic pathways.
- Targeting specific serotonin pathways may offer therapeutic potential for obesity.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate serotonin's intricate effects on appetite regulation.
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