Abstract
The central actions of leptin and insulin are essential for the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis. In addition to the crucial effects on the hypothalamus, emerging evidence suggests that the leptin and insulin signaling can act on other brain regions to mediate the reward value of nutrients. Recent studies have indicated the midbrain dopaminergic neurons as a potential site for leptin’ and insulin’s actions on mediating the feeding behaviors and therefore affecting the energy balance. Although molecular details about the integrative roles of leptin and insulin in this subset of neurons remain to be investigated, substantial body of evidence by far imply that the signaling pathways regulated by leptin and insulin may play an essential role in the regulation of energy balance through the control of food-associated reward. This review therefore describes the convergence of energy regulation and reward system, particularly focusing on leptin and insulin signaling in the midbrain dopaminergic neurons.
Highlights
Obesity, a multifactorial metabolic disorder that leads to many adverse health consequences, has reached epidemic proportions globally with more than 500 million adults being obese as of 2008 (Frühbeck et al, 2013)
An extensive body of evidence has demonstrated that endocrine regulators such as insulin and leptin mainly act on the hypothalamus of the central nervous system (CNS) to regulate food intake and body weight
Studies on the molecular crosstalk occurring downstream of leptin and insulin in DA neurons may be important to understand specific roles of these signals in mediating energy homeostasis and reward value of food (Figure 1B). Taken together, both pharmacological and genetic studies demonstrate that insulin and leptin act on hypothalamic regions and play important roles in the DA reward system to regulate feeding behavior and energy balance
Summary
A multifactorial metabolic disorder that leads to many adverse health consequences, has reached epidemic proportions globally with more than 500 million adults being obese as of 2008 (Frühbeck et al, 2013). Accumulating evidence has indicated that leptin and insulin act on the midbrain DA neurons mediating feeding behaviors and affecting energy balance (Fulton et al, 2006; Homme et al, 2006; Figlewicz et al, 2008; Leinninger et al, 2009, 2011; Morton et al, 2009; Opland et al, 2010; Bruijnzeel et al, 2011; Domingos et al, 2011; Mebel et al, 2012).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
