Neuroendocrinology articles from across Nature Portfolio

The authors uncover the relevance of Piezo1 mechanosensors expressed in the stomach for sensing gastric distention and regulating feeding behaviour.

Using a murine diphtheria toxin ablation strategy, we have depleted afferent neurons expressing the Nav1.8 sodium channel and unravelled their functions in the control of energy homeostasis, highlighting their potential to address metabolic disorders.

De Solis and Del Río-Martín et al. investigate the reciprocal interplay between AgRP and POMC neurocircuits that governs the precise regulation of food intake and systemic metabolic homeostasis.

Sayar-Atasoy et al. monitored the activity of hypothalamic AgRP hunger neurons throughout the day and showed that these neurons anticipate meal time by integrating information about past circadian feeding experience with ongoing metabolic needs.

As most studies on the action of insulin in the brain have focused on men, metabolic changes during the menstrual cycle in women remain poorly understood. Using intranasal insulin administration during hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamps and functional MRI, Hummel et al. show reduced insulin sensitivity during the luteal phase.

Sa et al. identified a distinct neuronal subpopulation that controls brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. In mice fed a high-fat diet, hypothalamic GABRA5 neurons are deactivated by GABA released by surrounding astrocytes and inhibition of GABA synthesis ameliorates diet-induced obesity.

A new study convincingly demonstrates a deficiency of pituitary oxytocin secretion in patients with vasopressin deficiency. Neuropsychological evaluations of these patients indicate increased anxiety and reduced prosocial behaviours, thereby characterizing the phenotype of the first documented disorder of oxytocin deficiency in humans.

The increase in blood corticosterone triggered by the release of proinflammatory cytokines is shown to involve vagal regulation of a parabrachial nucleus–paraventricular nucleus pathway.

Post-ingestive signals of nutrient availability can drive food reward and neural responses independently of orosensory signals. van Galen et al. demonstrate that brain responses to these post-ingestive signals are impaired in people with obesity