WeightControl.com Interview with:
Prof. Herbert Herzog
Chair in Neuroendocrinology
Lab Leader, Eating Disorders Lab
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
WeightControl.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: We used a systematic, unbiased approach to identify the regions in the brain that specifically respond to either a Prof. Herbert Herzog
(HFD) or a HFD combined with stress. This identified the ‘Lateral Habenular’ (LHb) as the most responsive nuclei to a HFD, while when combining HFD and Stress the neurons in this nuclei were silent.
This indicates that stress can override the HFD induced activation of neurons in the LHb. The LHb is know as the so called ‘anti-reward’ centre, that when activated dampens the reward feeling in this case the pleasure of eating caloric dense food, normally high in fat and sugar. Chronic stress reverts that and brings the pleasure back by blocking the LHb pathway. Not only leads this to an increase of food intake but at the same time specifically promotes the graving for sweet food.
WeightControl.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: If you are experiencing chronic stress be specifically vigilant on what you eat. Keep to the fresh fruit section in the supermarket and avoid the processed food and snack section.
WeightControl.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: Our study looked into 1 type of chronic stress, it will be important to test other paradigms using different types of stress and see whether they act in a similar way on the same pathways and/or in additional pathways. It will also important to test whether the effects of chronic stress combined with a high fat diet can be reverted upon ending the stressful situation.
No disclosures
Citation:Ip CK, Rezitis J, Qi Y, Bajaj N, Koller J, Farzi A, Shi YC, Tasan R, Zhang L, Herzog H. Critical role of lateral habenula circuits in the control of stress-induced palatable food consumption. Neuron. 2023 May 31:S0896-6273(23)00383-5. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.010. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37295418.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37295418/
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Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by weightcontrol