Two Paths Diverge in the Brain: Melanin-Concentrating Hormone Controls Hepatic and Adipose Metabolism  Nicholas Douris, Eleftheria Maratos–Flier  Gastroenterology  Volume 144, Issue 3, Pages 501-504 (March 2013) DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.01.029 Copyright © 2013 Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Sagittal mouse brain: MCH is expressed exclusively in a discrete population of neurons in the LH and ZI, but projections from these cells are found widely. The LH is known to project to the NST and these pre-autonomic fibers can stimulate the PNS; presumably via the vagus nerve to alter liver metabolism (blue arrows). MCH action on the arcuate nucleus can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system through projections to intermediolateral pre-ganglionic neurons in the spinal cord and thus act on white adipose tissue (green arrows). Inset (enlarged coronal section of the hypothalamus): MCH (shading) is synthesized in the LH and the ZI. Abbreviations: 3V, third ventricle; ARC, arcuate nucleus; IML, intermediolateral cell column; LH, lateral hypothalamus; MCH, melanin-concentrating hormone; NST, nucleus of the solitary tract; PNS, parasympathetic nervous system; SNS, sympathetic nervous system; VMH, ventromedial nucleus; ZI, zona incerta. Gastroenterology 2013 144, 501-504DOI: (10.1053/j.gastro.2013.01.029) Copyright © 2013 Terms and Conditions