Separate gut-brain circuits for fat and sugar reinforcement combine to promote overeating.

ABSTRACT: Food is a powerful natural reinforcer that guides feeding decisions. The vagus nerve conveys internal sensory information from the gut to the brain about nutritional value; however, the cellular and molecular basis of macronutrient-specific reward circuits is poorly understood. Here, we monitor in vivo calcium dynamics to provide direct evidence of independent vagal sensing pathways for the detection of dietary fats and sugars. Using activity-dependent genetic capture of vagal neurons activated in response to gut infusions of nutrients, we demonstrate the existence of separate gut-brain circuits for fat and sugar sensing that are necessary and sufficient for nutrient-specific reinforcement. Even when controlling for calories, combined activation of fat and sugar circuits increases nigrostr

SUBMITTER: McDougle M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11898112 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature