2021
Hunger-promoting AgRP neurons trigger an astrocyte-mediated feed-forward auto-activation loop in mice
Varela L, Stutz B, Song JE, Kim JG, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Hunger-promoting AgRP neurons trigger an astrocyte-mediated feed-forward auto-activation loop in mice. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131 PMID: 33848272, PMCID: PMC8121506, DOI: 10.1172/jci144239.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAgRP neuronsHypothalamic feeding circuitsInhibitory neurotransmitter GABAGhrelin administrationInhibitory toneAstrocytic responseMetabolic milieuProstaglandin E2Neurotransmitter GABANeuronal controlSynaptic plasticityGlial processesNeuronsNeural excitationMitochondrial adaptationsFood deprivationAstrocytesPerikaryaFeeding circuitRegion crucialFeedingObesityGABAExcitabilityChemogenetics
2009
Ghrelin Promotes and Protects Nigrostriatal Dopamine Function via a UCP2-Dependent Mitochondrial Mechanism
Andrews ZB, Erion D, Beiler R, Liu ZW, Abizaid A, Zigman J, Elsworth JD, Savitt JM, DiMarchi R, Tschöp M, Roth RH, Gao XB, Horvath TL. Ghrelin Promotes and Protects Nigrostriatal Dopamine Function via a UCP2-Dependent Mitochondrial Mechanism. Journal Of Neuroscience 2009, 29: 14057-14065. PMID: 19906954, PMCID: PMC2845822, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3890-09.2009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDA cell lossNigrostriatal dopamine functionParkinson's diseaseDopamine functionCell lossSubstantia nigra pars compactaSNpc DA neuronsStriatal dopamine levelsStriatal dopamine lossExogenous ghrelin administrationLoss of appetiteDopamine cell degenerationNovel therapeutic strategiesMitochondrial mechanismsTyrosine hydroxylase mRNAReactive oxygen species productionMPTP treatmentPeripheral ghrelinSNpc cellsTetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treatmentDA neuronsDopamine lossGhrelin administrationPars compactaCatecholaminergic neurons
2008
Bsx, a Novel Hypothalamic Factor Linking Feeding with Locomotor Activity, Is Regulated by Energy Availability
Nogueiras R, López M, Lage R, Perez-Tilve D, Pfluger P, Mendieta-Zerón H, Sakkou M, Wiedmer P, Benoit SC, Datta R, Dong JZ, Culler M, Sleeman M, Vidal-Puig A, Horvath T, Treier M, Diéguez C, Tschöp M. Bsx, a Novel Hypothalamic Factor Linking Feeding with Locomotor Activity, Is Regulated by Energy Availability. Endocrinology 2008, 149: 3009-3015. PMID: 18308842, PMCID: PMC2408820, DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-1684.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-fat dietArcuate nucleusLeptin resistanceMelanocortin-4 receptor knockout miceObese leptin-deficient miceAgouti gene-related proteinCentral nervous system controlNovel hypothalamic factorPeripheral energy balanceOrexigenic neuropeptide YReceptor knockout miceSpontaneous physical activityGhrelin receptor antagonistLeptin-deficient miceNervous system controlEnergy balance signalsFasting-induced increaseGene-related proteinGhrelin administrationLeptin injectionPharmacological modificationNeuropeptide YGhrelin signalingHypothalamic factorsReceptor antagonist
2006
Ghrelin controls hippocampal spine synapse density and memory performance
Diano S, Farr SA, Benoit SC, McNay EC, da Silva I, Horvath B, Gaskin FS, Nonaka N, Jaeger LB, Banks WA, Morley JE, Pinto S, Sherwin RS, Xu L, Yamada KA, Sleeman MW, Tschöp MH, Horvath TL. Ghrelin controls hippocampal spine synapse density and memory performance. Nature Neuroscience 2006, 9: 381-388. PMID: 16491079, DOI: 10.1038/nn1656.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHippocampal spine synapse densitySpine synapse densitySpine synapse formationGrowth hormone releaseNovel therapeutic strategiesLong-term potentiationHigher brain functionsEnhanced spatial learningGut hormonesGhrelin administrationHypothalamic actionSynapse densitySpine synapsesCA1 regionHormone releaseNeuropeptide ghrelinGhrelin bindingHippocampal formationTherapeutic strategiesMelanocortin systemGhrelinBrain areasMetabolic controlSynaptic changesSynaptic plasticity