Scientists Identify Brainstem Neurons That Signal When to Stop Eating

Researchers discovered specialized neurons in mice that integrate sensory and hormonal cues to regulate meal termination, offering potential insights for obesity treatments.

• 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.

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