The neurons known as vgat PAG cells encode food and eating behaviors. Researchers at UCLA have identified a circuit in the brains of mice that drives them to seek out food even when they're not hungry, shedding light on potential targets for treating eating disorders in humans.
Published in the latest issue of Nature Communications, the study reveals the presence of specialized cells for foraging in a specific area of the mouse brainstem called the periaqueductal gray (PAG), traditionally associated with panic but not eating. This ancient region, situated in the brainstem, was previously overlooked in the context of feeding behavior.
The discovery emerged from investigations into how fear and anxiety aid animals in assessing risk. While activating the entire PAG region triggers dramatic panic responses in both mice and humans, selectively stimulating a subset of neurons within the PAG known as vgat PAG cells doesn't induce fear but rather elicits foraging and feeding behaviors.
The research indicates that even after a satisfying meal, vgat PAG cells continue to drive mice to pursue live crickets and non-prey food items when stimulated with laser light. This stimulation not only prompts mice to follow non-food moving objects like ping pong balls but also emboldens them to confidently explore everything within their enclosure.
