Brain circuits for sugar and fat “memories” could unlock new obesity treatments

Monell Chemical Senses Center scientists have found brain mechanisms that cause people to overeat. They anticipate this discovery can bring about new obesity treatment methods involving “silencing” neurons responsible for this.

The paper, published in the journal Nature Metabolism, identifies hippocampal neurons that encode sugar and fat memories that drive overeating.

These neurons shape feeding behavior and metabolic health, form food memories and also drive eating behavior, which impacts body weight.

If the neurons are silenced, one is unable to recall sugar-related memories, which is likely to reduce sugar consumption and, thereby, prevent weight gain — even when consuming diets rich in fat and sugar, the authors reveal.

“These neurons are critical for linking sensory cues to food intake,” says Monell associate member Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, PhD. “Their ability to influence both memory and metabolism makes them promising targets for treating obesity in today’s food-rich world.”

Other research has found child obesity prevalence has increased in 201 countries since 2012.

Lead researcher comments

The US-based researchers claim to have for the first time unlock the brain’s food-specific memory system and its direct link to overeating.

Guillaume de Lartigue (Image credit: Monel Center).“In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements and environmental triggers designed to remind us of pleasurable food experiences,” says de Lartigue. 

“What’s surprising is that we’ve pinpointed a specific population of neurons in the hippocampus that not only forms these food-related memories but also drives our eating behavior. This connection could have significant implications for body weight and metabolic health.”

On the other hand, reactivating silenced neurons can amplify memory for food, increase consumption and thereby influence diets.

“While it’s no surprise that we remember pleasurable food experiences, it was long assumed that these memories had little to no impact on eating behavior,” adds de Lartigue. “What’s most surprising is that inhibition of these neurons prevents weight gain, even in response to diets rich in fat and sugar.”

Overlooked role of memory 

The researchers note that memory is often overlooked in relation to food consumption, however, the new study highlights its important role as a direct driver of eating behavior.

They add that the study differs from previous research, in that it has uncovered implications for metabolic health.

“Memory systems in the hippocampus evolved to help animals locate and remember food sources critical for survival,” explains first author Mingxin Yang, a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania. “In modern environments, where food is abundant and cues are everywhere, these memory circuits may drive overeating, contributing to obesity.”

The paper also discovered food memories are very specific — sugar-responsible neurons only encode and influence sugar-related memories. The same is true in the case of fat-responsive neurons.

“The specificity of these circuits is fascinating,” comments de Lartigue. “It underscores how finely tuned the brain is for linking food to behavior, ensuring animals can differentiate between various nutrient sources in their environment.” 

Memory is often overlooked in relation to food consumption, however, the new study highlights its important role as a direct driver of eating behavior.The authors believe there are separate neurons for sugar and fat as foods in nature rarely contain both of these elements.

Weight-loss pathways in focus

In a recent interview, FrieslandCampina Ingredients told us people are focusing more on protein now than a few years ago and that weight management solutions, like GLP-1, are causing a ripple effect across the nutrition industry. Nutiani also forecasts rising demands for high-protein, low-calorie foods for GLP-1 users.

Dietary quality is essential for patients on anti-obesity medications, as they commonly experience reduced appetite and, as a result, lower food intake. Medical experts recently developed a list of nutritional recommendations to assist clinicians in treating patients on these drugs.

Other developments in the field saw Personalized Health Rx launch its direct-to-consumer telehealth weight management platform, integrating weight-loss medications, customized nutritional support and board-certified doctor guidance. Also, Noom upgraded its GLP-1 weight management app after gaining US traction. 

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of South Australia have created a food-grade natural alternative to anti-obesity medications — InuMCT microcapsules.