In the modern world, one of the primary drivers of obesity is the easy accessibility of high-calorie, palatable food. People often consume food not out of hunger, but for the purpose of seeking pleasure. This process is known as hedonic eating, and it represents a major factor in the development of obesity.
A new study published in the journal Nature Communications, conducted by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, offers a new way to address this problem.
The researchers discovered that a specific part of the brain, the lateral septum (LS), acts as a “brake” in the food regulation network. Its activation suppresses the urge for hedonic eating, representing a potential new target for the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Experiments conducted on mice showed that prolonged consumption of high-fat food leads to obesity and, simultaneously, significantly diminishes the function of neurons in the lateral septum. The scientists noted a decrease in the activity of two important genes:
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Hcn1, which regulates neuronal excitability.
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Gad2, which is responsible for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter GABA.
When these genes are “weakened” by the influence of fatty foods, the brain’s braking system malfunctions, and the body loses the ability to stop overeating.
As part of the study, scientists were able to restore the function of these genes. The results were impressive:
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The restoration of the Hcn1 gene effectively suppressed the tendency toward overeating in mice.
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Stimulation of the Gad2 gene strengthened inhibitory signals in the brain, preventing the animals from overeating and developing obesity.
This discovery allows scientists to develop more precise medical methods in the future to help people overcome food addiction and obesity.
