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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Manipulation of Rhythmic Food Intake in Mice Using a Custom-Made Feeding System
Published on: December 16, 2022
Ventral hippocampal NPY interneurons regulate circadian feeding in mice
Zhi-Han Jiao1, Yan-Jiao Wu2, Xin Bian2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Songjiang Research Institute, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective Disorders, Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201600, China; Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Researchers discovered that specific neurons in the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Chronobiology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Circadian rhythms tightly regulate feeding behavior.
- Disrupted circadian coordination leads to mistimed eating and metabolic dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify neural circuits controlling circadian feeding patterns.
- To investigate the role of ventral hippocampus neuropeptide Y interneurons (NPY-INs) in feeding regulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse models to study neuronal activity and function.
- Investigated diurnal activity fluctuations of vHPC NPY-INs.
- Examined neurotransmitter signaling (NPY, GABA) during light and dark phases.
Main Results:
- vHPC NPY-INs show diurnal activity patterns crucial for feeding control.
- These neurons use NPY and GABA signaling distinctly in light and dark phases.
- vHPC NPY-INs receive circadian input from the MPOA and project to the vSub.
Conclusions:
- vHPC NPY-INs act as a key hub linking circadian rhythms and energy balance.
- These findings offer insights into neural mechanisms of mistimed feeding and metabolic disorders.
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