Rapid binge-like eating and body weight gain driven by zona incerta GABA neuron activation

Abstract

A neuronal circuit for overeating Recurrent binge eating is a common eating disorder. Zhang and van den Pol investigated an understudied brain region known as the zona incerta and found that it projects inhibitory inputs to the paraventricular thalamus, a brain region involved in suppressing feeding behavior. In mice, acute stimulation of this inhibitory projection resulted within seconds in overeating, especially high-fat food. Chronic stimulation induced persistent overeating and weight gain. Science , this issue p. 853