Protein Appetite Drives Macronutrient-Related Differences in Ventral Tegmental Area Neural Activity.

ABSTRACT: Control of protein intake is essential for numerous biological processes as several amino acids cannot be synthesized de novo, however, its neurobiological substrates are still poorly understood. In the present study, we combined in vivo fiber photometry with nutrient-conditioned flavor in a rat model of protein appetite to record neuronal activity in the VTA, a central brain region for the control of food-related processes. In adult male rats, protein restriction increased preference for casein (protein) over maltodextrin (carbohydrate). Moreover, protein consumption was associated with a greater VTA response, relative to carbohydrate. After initial nutrient preference, a switch from a normal balanced diet to protein restriction induced rapid development of protein preference but r

SUBMITTER: Chiacchierini G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8197647 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature