The research offers fresh insights into the intricate neural mechanisms underlying obesity and may pave the way for more targeted treatments and interventions for individuals struggling with weight-related issues

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a link between memory and appetite within the human brain, revealing the underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity.

The study, reported by ScienceDaily, focuses on investigating the intricate relationship between memory and the regulation of appetite. It specifically examines disruptions in brain circuits that correspond to an individual’s body mass index (BMI), with a particular emphasis on those prone to disordered eating behaviors such as binge eating disorder (BED).

The research uncovered that individuals grappling with obesity exhibit weakened connections between two key brain regions: the dorsolateral hippocampus (dlHPC) and the lateral hypothalamus (LH). The dlHPC, responsible for memory processes, demonstrated compromised links with the LH, which plays a pivotal role in maintaining the body’s stable state, known as homeostasis.

During the study, participants were closely monitored while anticipating and consuming a delectable chocolate milkshake. The researchers used electrical brain monitoring in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit to assess the brain’s activity during these moments. Remarkably, both the dlHPC and LH exhibited simultaneous activation as participants anticipated the forthcoming reward.

The strength of the hypothalamus-hippocampus circuit was found to be directly correlated with an individual’s BMI. Importantly, participants with higher BMIs displayed even more pronounced disruptions in this crucial brain connection.

“These findings underscore that some individuals have fundamentally different brain regions that increase their susceptibility to obesity.” Dr. Casey Halpern, an associate professor of Neurosurgery and the senior author of the study, said.

Dr Halpern further said that conditions like disordered eating and obesity are multifaceted issues, and addressing them requires more than just willpower. Instead, it necessitates interventions that can restore the brain’s connections, much like an electrician fixing wiring in a complex circuit.

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TagsBMI obesity weight control weight management