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Brain Appetite Pathways

Meaning

A complex, interconnected network of neuronal circuits and signaling molecules within the central nervous system that govern the regulation of hunger, satiety, and energy expenditure. These critical pathways integrate peripheral sensory information from the gut and adipose tissue with higher cognitive and emotional centers to precisely determine feeding behavior. Key anatomical components include the hypothalamus and various brainstem nuclei, which utilize neuropeptides as central messengers. Dysregulation of these pathways is now understood to be a fundamental factor in the development and maintenance of metabolic disorders and obesity.