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.
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.
