Protein Restriction Increases Preference and Motivation for Whey Protein in Wt But Not FGF21-K Mice. Credit: Molecular metabolism (2024). Doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.102068
When Faced with Multiple Food Options and Ultimately Choosing One, The Factors of that Decision-Making Process May Be More PHYSISILOGICAL MATHAN EARE A group of scientists LED by pennington biomedical research center’s Dr. Christopher Morrison has discovered that hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) Plays an influential role in brain reward mechanisms like that that theSE involved in dietary choches.
The discovery was announced in the research team’s recent paper Titled “FGF21 acts in the brain to drive macronutrient-specific changes in behavioral motivation and brain reward signaling,” which was published in Molecular metabolismThe study data indicates that the FGF21 Hormone Acts on the brain to induce a protein-specific appetiite by enhancing the reward value of foods that contain protein.
“What’s fascinating is that isn’t just general hunger – a very specific appetiite for protein,” said Dr. Morrison, Associate Executive Director of Basic Science at Pennington Biomedical.
“When protein is restricted, fgf21 acts in the brain to flip a molecular switch that makes protein-Rich foods more rewarding and motivates animals to seem out. Many people are struggle to mainten DIET.
In the study, animals on a low-protein diet worked especially hard for liquid protein rewards, but not carbohydrate, fatty, or sweet rewards, compared to three. However, if FGF21’s ability to act in the brain was disrupted, this protein-specific motivation was lost.
The Researchers then used a sophisticated neuroscience technique called fiber photometry to Assess how Nutrists activate activate dopamine neurons within the ventral tegmental area, or vta, or vta, or vta Associated with reward. They discovered that Protein Restriction Shifts The Dopamine Response, with Carbohydrate More Strongly Activating Dopamine Neurons in Control Animals and Protein More Strongly Activating Dopamine Neurons in Neurons in Protein-restricted animals. Importantly, this shift in reward signaling was lost in animals Lacking Fgf21.
“It’s a remarkable example of how hormone signals can tune the brain’s reward system to drive special specific nutritional apptes,” EXPLAINS DR. Morrison.
“This recent discovery demonstrates the continual journey to uncover the functions of certain genes, proteins and nutrients in our body also also also highlighting the Principal value that pennington biaomedical deliver to the broader scientific communication, “said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical.
“Understanding how the brain drives specific nutritional preferences have been a long-standing challenge in metabolism research. Molecular Biology, and Behavioral Studies – CAN Unlock Complex Biological Mysteries. That will emerge trust of this one. “
The FGF21 Hormone is produced in the liver and has been previously recognized as a regulator of energy balance and for its role in glucose metabolism. This newly published Research Emphasizes its significant impact on the Central Nervous System.
More information:
Md shahjalal h. khan et al, fgf21 acts in the brain to drive macronutrient-specific changes in behavioral motivation and brain reward signaling, Molecular metabolism (2024). Doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2024.102068
Citation: Hormone FGF21 Found to Influence Brain’s Food Reward System in Response to Protein Restriction (2025, February 26) Retrieved 26 February 2025 from
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