NEW DELHI: Worried about overeating? Blame the hippocampus — a part of the mind accountable for studying and reminiscence — as it could be behind your meals craving and the ensuing weight acquire, in accordance with a research on Wednesday.
The research, revealed within the journal Nature Metabolism, confirmed that neurons within the hippocampus are encoding recollections of sugar and fats. This reminiscence system is shaping feeding habits and metabolic well being.
Guillaume de Lartigue, from Monell Chemical Senses Center – – an unbiased nonprofit analysis institute in Pennsylvania, US — recognized, for the primary time, the mind’s food-specific reminiscence system and its direct position in overeating and diet-induced weight problems.
“In in the present day’s world, we’re continuously bombarded with ads and environmental triggers designed to remind us of pleasurable meals experiences,” stated Dr. de Lartigue. “What’s stunning is that we have pinpointed a particular inhabitants of neurons within the hippocampus that not solely varieties these food-related recollections but additionally drives our consuming behaviour. This connection might have vital implications for physique weight and metabolic well being,” the skilled added.
The research defined that these neurons encode recollections of the spatial location of nutrient-rich meals.
These act as a “reminiscence hint,” notably for sugar and fats. In a mice research, the researchers discovered that when these neurons have been silenced, it impaired the animal’s capability to “recall sugar-related recollections, reduces sugar consumption, and prevents weight acquire”.
This was evident even when the animals have been uncovered to diets that contributed to extreme weight acquire.
“Memory methods within the hippocampus advanced to assist animals find and keep in mind meals sources important for survival,” stated first creator Mingxin Yang, a University of Pennsylvania doctoral scholar within the de Lartigue lab. “In fashionable environments, the place meals is considerable and cues are all over the place, these reminiscence circuits might drive overeating, contributing to weight problems.”
The research’s findings open new potentialities for addressing overeating and weight problems. The crew referred to as on to develop therapies to focus on hippocampal reminiscence circuits. This might assist disrupt the reminiscence triggers that drive the consumption of unhealthy, calorie-dense meals.
“These neurons are important for linking sensory cues to meals consumption,” stated Dr. de Lartigue. “Their capability to affect each reminiscence and metabolism makes them promising targets for treating weight problems in in the present day’s food-rich world.”
Targeting mind’s reminiscence methods might help deal with overeating, weight problems: Study – Times of India
