Newfound brain circuit coordinates eating and energy burning when temperatures drop
When the body's temperature falls, it adapts by burning more energy to generate heat and triggering appetite to replace the fuel used to stay warm. While scientists have known about those responses for decades, precisely how the brain coordinates them has remained unclear. New research led by USF Health's Dr. Yong Xu uncovered clues in a little-studied region of the brain.
Scientists have discovered a novel brain circuit that coordinates eating and energy expenditure in response to cold temperatures. Led by Dr. Yong Xu at USF Health, the research team identified the dorsal posterior periventricular hypothalamic nucleus (dPVp), a previously unstudied region in the brain. In nonhuman models, activation of dPVp neurons increased food intake, heat production, and energy expenditure, while also improving glucose regulation and preventing weight gain.
The study pinpointed a cold sensor protein called KCNK2 or TREK-1 within dPVp neurons, offering a potential target for drug therapies that could mimic the metabolic benefits of cold exposure. This finding could lead to new treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, potentially allowing people to maintain metabolic health without the need for dieting or exposure to cold temperatures.
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