Somatostatin Neurons in the Basal Forebrain Promote High-Calorie Food Intake

Publication date: 5 July 2017
Source:Cell Reports, Volume 20, Issue 1
Author(s): Chen Zhu, Yun Yao, Yan Xiong, Mingxiu Cheng, Jing Chen, Rui Zhao, Fangzhou Liao, Runsheng Shi, Sen Song
Obesity has become a global issue, and the overconsumption of food is thought to be a major contributor. However, the regulatory neural circuits that regulate palatable food consumption remain unclear. Here, we report that somatostatin (SOM) neurons and GABAergic (VGAT) neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) play specific roles in regulating feeding. Optogenetic stimulation of BF SOM neurons increased fat and sucrose intake within minutes and promoted anxiety-like behaviors. Furthermore, optogenetic stimulation of projections from BF SOM neurons to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) selectively resulted in fat intake. In addition, activation of BF VGAT neurons rapidly induced general food intake and gnawing behaviors. Whole-brain mapping of inputs and outputs showed that BF SOM neurons form bidirectional connections with several brain areas important in feeding and regulation of emotion. Collectively, these results suggest that BF SOM neurons play a selective role in hedonic feeding.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Zhu et al. uncover a crucial neuronal population in the mouse basal forebrain (BF) that induces hedonic feeding. Activation of BF somatostatin neurons specifically leads to high-calorie food intake and induces anxiety-like behaviors. This may be related to stress-induced overeating of palatable food, which contributes to obesity problems.


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