The physiology and brain mechanisms of feeding

This article is designed as an introduction to the major theoretical models in the field of regulation of eating behavior, and a selective review of relevant neurobiological data. We first critically consider the paradigm of homeostasis as it relates to body energy content, and argue that additional theoretical constructs will be needed to account for the complexity of eating behavior in both nonhumans and humans. We then summarize some of the methods available to the neuroscientist in this area, and address some of their limitations. We review treatments and potential mechanisms that increase food intake, including deprivation, antimetabolites, norepinephrine, and several peptides including neuropeptide Y. We next review treatments that decrease food intake, including a variety of humoral, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic factors, as well as examine central pathways of satiety. This includes a discussion of leptin and other potential anorectic agents. We conclude with a discussion of human obesity and anorexias, and prospects for pharmacotherapy of eating disorders. We emphasize throughout that most regions of the human brain probably make some contribution to feeding behavior, and so a focus on any one area of transmitter/hormone is an unrealistic approach both in basic and applied areas.