Neurobiology of Obesity

Question 1

What does the vetromedial area of the Hypothalamus do?

Answer 1

Induces and recognises satiety via sensing high sugar levels

Question 2

What does the lateral area of the Hypothalamus do?

Answer 2

Makes you hungry via recognising low sugar levels

Question 3

What does the arcuate nucleus area of the Hypothalamus do?

Answer 3

Senses lectin

Question 4

What is the purpose of lectin?

Answer 4

It is a measure of adiposity

Question 5

What does the MCR4 receptor do?

Answer 5

Activating it induces feelings of fullness

Question 6

What happens with high levels of lectin?

Answer 6

• High lectin means high fatty tissue.
• The arcuate nucleus then releases anorexigenic compouds such as YY and CART which activate MRC4 receptors and stop hunger

Question 7

What happens with low levels of lectin?

Answer 7

• The arcuate nucleus releases orexigenic compounds like AgRP and NPY
• This block MCR4 receptor you feel hungry

Question 8

What does ghrelin do?

Answer 8

It is released by the fundus of the stomach when hungry

Question 9

What makes you feel full?

Answer 9

Vagus nerve activation

CCK from the gut

Serotonin

Question 10

What is the role of dopamine in obesity?

Answer 10

It goes up in the presence of fatty or high sugar level foods

Question 11

What do endocannabinoids do?

Answer 11

Retrograde regulation. Increased levels makes you feel hungry, hence ‘munchies’ with cannabis