Summary Discuss the neural mechanisms in control of eating behaviour Essay Plan

Neural mechanisms in control of eating behaviour
Introduction
Neural mechanisms include:

 LH (lateral hypothalamus) & VMH (ventro-medial hypothalamus)
 Neuropeptide Y (neurotransmitter)
 Amygdala/inferior frontal cortex

AO1
 Lateral Hypothalamus: Triggers feelings of hunger
 Ventro-medial Hypothalamus: Triggers feelings of satiety.
 Keesey & Corbett: Two parts work together to control and regulate
eating behaviour like heat thermostat. They detect existing food intake
levels and correct them by triggering feelings of hunger/satiety. Blood
glucose rise/fall.
 Based on homeostasis. Maintaining stable internal state. Body change –
revert to original state.

AO2
 1950’s Lab Rats: LH damage – aphagia (no feeding/hunger). LH stimulated –
eats. VMH damage –hyperphagia (continuous eating). VMH stimulated –
satiated.

X NHA

Main criticism: Not wrong, just too simplistic

Gold: Damage to VMH alone doesn’t cause hyperphagia unless
paraventricular nucleus (PVN) also damaged. PVN also has role to play in
satiety.

Sakurai: LH not solely the ‘hunger centre’. Neural circuits from LH run
throughout the brain.