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AgRP neurons: Regulators of feeding, energy expenditure, and behavior
Author(s) -
Deem Jennifer D.,
Faber Chelsea L.,
Morton Gregory J.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
the febs journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.981
H-Index - 204
eISSN - 1742-4658
pISSN - 1742-464X
DOI - 10.1111/febs.16176
Subject(s) - arcuate nucleus , biological neural network , neuroscience , energy expenditure , population , arc (geometry) , feeding behavior , energy (signal processing) , biology , hypothalamus , engineering , medicine , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , environmental health , statistics , mathematics
Neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) that express agouti‐related peptide (AgRP) govern a critical aspect of survival: the drive to eat. Equally important to survival is the timing at which food is consumed—seeking or eating food to alleviate hunger in the face of a more pressing threat, like the risk of predation, is clearly maladaptive. To ensure optimal prioritization of behaviors within a given environment, therefore, AgRP neurons must integrate signals of internal need states with contextual environmental cues. In this state‐of‐the‐art review, we highlight recent advances that extend our understanding of AgRP neurons, including the neural circuits they engage to regulate feeding, energy expenditure, and behavior. We also discuss key findings that illustrate how both classical feedback and anticipatory feedforward signals regulate this neuronal population and how the integration of these signals may be disrupted in states of energy excess. Finally, we examine both technical and conceptual challenges facing the field moving forward.