Brain activations show association with subsequent endocrine responses to oral glucose challenge in a satiation-level...

The communication between brain and peripheral homeostatic systems is a central element of ingestive control. We set out to explore which parts of the brain have strong functional connections to peripheral signalling molecules in a physiological context. It was hypothesised that associations can be found between endocrine response to glucose ingestion and preceding brain activity in dependence of the nutritional status of the body.

Young, healthy male participants underwent both a 38 ​h fasting and a control condition with standardized meals. On the second day of the experiment, participants underwent fMRI scanning followed by ingestion of glucose solution in both conditions. Subsequent endocrine responses relevant to energy metabolism were assessed. Associations between preceding brain activation and endocrine responses were examined.

In both fasting and non-fasting conditions, brain activity was associated with subsequent endocrine responses after glucose administration, but relevant brain areas differed substantially between the conditions. In the fasting condition relations between the caudate nucleus and the orbitofrontal regions with insulin and C-peptide were prevailing, whereas in the non-fasting condition associations between various brain regions and adiponectin and cortisol were the predominant significant outcome.

Connections between endocrine response following a glucose challenge and prior brain activity suggests that the brain is playing an active role in the networks regulating food intake and associated endocrine signals. Further studies are needed to demonstrate causation.