Overview

• Columbia University scientists identified neurons in the brainstem of mice that control the decision to stop eating by integrating diverse cues like taste, gut sensations, and hormonal signals.
• The neurons, located in the dorsal raphe nucleus, were found to track food intake on a bite-by-bite basis and issue delayed signals to terminate meals gradually.
• Using optogenetics, researchers showed that activating these neurons caused mice to eat smaller meals, with the intensity of activation affecting the speed of meal termination.
• The neurons were activated by GLP-1 agonists, drugs currently used to treat obesity and diabetes, and silenced by hormones that increase appetite.
• Because the brainstem is evolutionarily conserved across vertebrates, researchers believe similar neurons likely exist in humans, potentially opening new avenues for obesity therapies.