Overlapping brain circuits for homeostatic and hedonic feeding

Summary

Central regulation of food intake is a key mechanism contributing to energy homeostasis. Many neural circuits that are thought to orchestrate feeding behavior overlap with the brain’s reward circuitry both anatomically and functionally. Manipulation of numerous neural pathways can simultaneously influence food intake and reward. Two key systems underlying these processes—those controlling homeostatic and hedonic feeding—are often treated as independent. Homeostatic feeding is necessary for basic metabolic processes and survival, while hedonic feeding is driven by sensory perception or pleasure. Despite this distinction, their functional and anatomical overlap imply considerable interaction that is often overlooked. Here, we argue that the neurocircuits controlling homeostatic feeding and hedonic feeding are not completely dissociable given the current data and urge researchers to assess behaviors extending beyond food intake in investigations of the neural control of feeding.

eTOC blurb

Rossi and Stuber discuss the entangled neurocircuitry that governs feeding and reward. Using insights from recently developed molecular and genetic tools, the authors argue that homeostatic feeding and hedonic feeding are highly interrelated and urge investigators to measure more than food intake when probing neuronal control of feeding.