Eating behaviour Neural mechanisms

The structure of the forebrain which has centres for control of eating behaviour. HYPOTHALAMUS

The part of the hypothalamus that receives signals to switch eating on. LATERAL HYPOTHALAMUS

The part of the hypothalamus that receives signals to switch eating off. VENTROMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMUS

SATIETY CENTRE means the part of the brain that sends messages of being ‘full up’ to stop eating.

When blood GLUCOSE levels fall this is sensed by the hypothalamus and hunger is experienced.

Food intake leads to an increase in blood glucose and this is picked up by the VMH which TURNS EATING OFF.

An important role is played by GHRELIN which is released when the stomach is EMPTY.

Another key hormone has the opposite effect to ghrelin and its release is stimulated when food is passed into the duodenum. This is CCK (CHOLECYSTOKONIN)

Adipocyte store FAT and they release LEPTIN.

Leptin travels to the hypothalamus where it acts as a SATIETY SIGNAL.

As more fat is stored in adipocytes so more leptin is released and the HYPOTHALAMUS is stimulated to REDUCE food intake.