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Ghrelin modulates the activity and synaptic input organization of midbrain dopamine neurons while promoting appetite
Open accessAbstract
The gut hormone ghrelin targets the brain to promote food intake and adiposity. The ghrelin receptor growth hormone secretagogue 1 receptor (GHSR) is present in hypothalamic centers controlling energy metabolism as well as in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region important for motivational aspects of multiple behaviors, including feeding. Here we show that in mice and rats, ghrelin bound to neurons of the VTA, where it triggered increased dopamine neuronal activity, synapse formation, and dopamine turnover in the nucleus accumbens in a GHSR-dependent manner. Direct VTA administration of ghrelin also triggered feeding, while intra-VTA delivery of a selective GHSR antagonist blocked the orexigenic effect of circulating ghrelin and blunted rebound feeding following fasting. In addition, ghrelin- and GHSR-deficient mice showed attenuated feeding responses to restricted feeding schedules. Taken together, these data suggest that the mesolimbic reward circuitry is targeted by peripheral ghrelin to influence physiological mechanisms related to feeding.
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“neurons in the VTA and/or NAc express GLP-1 (24,25), ghrelin (26,27), leptin (28,29), insulin (30), orexin (31) and melanocortin receptors (32).”
From Obesity and addiction: Neurobiological overlaps (2013) · cites this paper as [26]
In the citing paper
“Moreover, neurons in VTA and/or nucleus accumbens (NAc) express glucagon-like peptide-1 (11,12), ghrelin (13,14), leptin (15,16), insulin (17), orexin (18), and melanocortin receptors (19).”
From The Addictive Dimensionality of Obesity (2013) · cites this paper as [13]
In the citing paper
“In contrast, ghrelin action directly within the VTA appears to activate dopamine neurons, increase accumbens dopamine turnover, and increase food intake”
From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [1]
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Cites
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Translational Neuroscience Approaches to Hyperphagia
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Acylated and unacylated ghrelin confer neuroprotection to mesencephalic neurons
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BackgroundGABAB Receptor Blockade Prevents Antiepileptic Action of Ghrelin in the Rat Hippocampus
Ataie, Z., Babri, S., Golzar, M. G., Ebrahimi, H., Mirzaei, F., & Mohaddes, G. (2013) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · doi:10.5681/apb.2013.057 · Cited by 15
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Animal studies reveal that the ghrelin pathway regulates alcohol-mediated responses
Jerlhag, E. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1050973 · Cited by 14
“Direct application of ghrelin into the VTA of male rodents increases the activity dopamine cells (65) and activates the mesolimbic dopamine system (59, 60, 65–68).”
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Ghrelin is related to lower brain reward activation during touch
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“Intra-VTA ghrelin infusion increases feeding, so does peripheral ghrelin infusion and the latter is attenuated by the local administration of a GHSR blocker in the VTA [8].”
BackgroundLEAP2, a ghrelin receptor inverse agonist, and its effect on alcohol-related responses in rodents
Tufvesson‐Alm, M., Aranäs, C., Sköldheden, S. B., Vestlund, J., Edvardsson, C. E., & Jerlhag, E. (2024) · Translational Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41398-024-03136-y · Cited by 14
What is the real relevance of endogenous ghrelin?
Al–Massadi, O., López, M., Fernø, J., Diéguez, C., & Nogueiras, R. (2015) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2015.04.027 · Cited by 14
“ubstantia nigra and cortex [1,18,25,34].”
BackgroundContributions of Pavlovian incentive motivation to cue-potentiated feeding
Marshall, A. T., Halbout, B., Liu, A. T., & Ostlund, S. B. (2018) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21046-0 · Cited by 15
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Relationship between Orexigenic Peptide Ghrelin Signal, Gender Difference and Disease
Yamada, C. (2021) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms22073763 · Cited by 15
“GHS-R1a regulates the mesolimbic dopaminergic reward circuit [34], and it has been reported that direct administration of ghrelin to the VTA causes an increase in food intake and that administration of an antagonist relieves the hyperphagia caused by intraventricular administration of ghrelin [34,37].”
BackgroundYou, Z., Gardner, E. L., Galaj, E., Moore, A. R., Buck, T. G., Jordan, C. J., Humburg, B. A., Bi, G., Xi, Z., & Leggio, L. (2022) · Molecular Psychiatry · doi:10.1038/s41380-022-01438-5 · Cited by 16
“Additionally, ghrelin is known to excite VTA DA neurons indirectly via a glutamate-mediated process [49] and other excitatory inputs such as acetylcholine and orexin to VTA DA neurons [46, 57, 58].”
BackgroundGhrelin mediated regulation of neurosynaptic transmitters in depressive disorders
Masule, M. V., Rathod, S., Agrawal, Y. O., Patil, C. R., Nakhate, K. T., Ojha, S. K., Goyal, S. N., & Mahajan, U. B. (2022) · Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery · doi:10.1016/j.crphar.2022.100113 · Cited by 15
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Blockage of ghrelin-induced prolactin secretion in women by bromocriptine
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Ghrelin receptor antagonism of hyperlocomotion in cocaine‐sensitized mice requires βarrestin‐2
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Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I: Effects on the Brain
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Gastrointestinal regulatory peptides and central nervous system mechanisms of weight control
Ladenheim, E. E. (2012) · Current Opinion in Endocrinology Diabetes and Obesity · doi:10.1097/med.0b013e32834ea723 · Cited by 13
“Previous data demonstrate that ghrelin administered into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) increases food intake and stimulates dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens [18,19], and ghrelin receptor antagonists injected into the VTA block these effects [20,21].”
BackgroundSustained Weight Loss With Combined LEAP2 and Semaglutide Treatment in Mice
Holm, S. K., Johansen, V. B. I., Ranea‐Robles, P., Svendsen, C., Merrild, C., Rohlfs, R., Conte, M. L., Hogendorf, W. F. J., Merkestein, M., Zaykov, A. N., et al. (2025) · Diabetes · doi:10.2337/db24-1056 · Cited by 15
“Ghrelin is known to reduce energy expenditure supposedly through AgRP neurons (5,45–49).”
Mehmood, A., Ali, W., Din, Z. U., Song, S., Sohail, M., Shah, W., Guo, J., Guo, R., Ilahi, I., Shah, S., et al. (2021) · Brain and Behavior · doi:10.1002/brb3.2280 · Cited by 14
“Therefore, this protein controls the secretion of growth hormone, the performance of memory, intake of food, and seeking behavioral reward (Abizaid et al., 2006).”
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Rodriguez, J. A., Fehrentz, J., Martínez, J., Salah, K. B. H., & Wellman, P. J. (2017) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.10.017 · Cited by 13
Beitrag der Suchtforschung zum Verständnis der Adipositas
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The role of ghrelin/GHS-R1A signaling in nonalcohol drug addictions
Sustkova-Fiserova, M., Charalambous, C., Khryakova, A., Certilina, A., Lapka, M., & Šlamberová, R. (2022) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms23020761 · Cited by 12
“The systemic and central (into the VTA) administration of acyl-ghrelin induced the dopamine release in the NAC (shell) and locomotor hyperactivity in rodents [61,64,82,84,85].”
BackgroundFluid intake, what's dopamine got to do with it?
Mietlicki‐Baase, E. G., Santollo, J., & Daniels, D. (2021) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113418 · Cited by 12
“GHSR is expressed in VTA dopamine neurons [170, 171] and ghrelin administration reliably increases the activity of these neurons [170].”
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“, 2006), accumulated data suggest that the actions of ghrelin in the VTA are mediated by GHS1αR-expressing DA, but not GABA, neurons (Abizaid et al., 2006).”
BackgroundSemagacestat, a γ-secretase inhibitor, activates the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS-R1a) receptor
Schellekens, H., McNamara, O. A., Dinan, T. G., McCarthy, J. V., McGlacken, G. P., & Cryan, J. F. (2012) · Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/jphp.12010 · Cited by 12
“For example, ghrelin has been shown to enhance synaptic plasticity via increased dendritic spine synapse formation and long-term potentiation in neurons of the hippocampus and the ventral tegmental area, which may explain ghrelin-mediated enhanced spatial learning and memory.([53,54]) Moreover, ghrelin has been shown…”
BackgroundElectrophysiological Analysis of Circuits Controlling Energy Homeostasis
Ghamari‐Langroudi, M. (2012) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-012-8241-5 · Cited by 13
“or amplitudes of inhibitory postsynaptic currents and EPSCs recorded from POMC and NPYARC neurons are modulated by leptin, ghrelin, corticosteroids, estrogen as well as metabolic states [52, 138–140].”
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Menzies, J. R. W., Skibicka, K. P., Dickson, S. L., & Leng, G. (2012) · Obesity Facts · doi:10.1159/000338237 · Cited by 12
Computational Analysis of the Hypothalamic Control of Food Intake
Tabe-Bordbar, S., & Anastasio, T. J. (2016) · Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fncom.2016.00027 · Cited by 14
“However, activation of MCH neurons promotes feeding by inhibiting OXT and NAc neurons, and some evidence suggests that activation of NT neurons can activate VTA neurons and also promote feeding.”
BackgroundInfluentialThe Potential Role of Gut Peptide Hormones in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Qi, X., & Zhang, L. (2020) · Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fncel.2020.00073 · Cited by 12
Pietraszko, W., Furgała, A., Gorecka-Mazur, A., Kwinta, B., Kaszuba-Zwoińska, J., Polak, J., Fiszer, U., Gil, K., & Krygowska-Wajs, A. (2020) · Peptides · doi:10.1016/j.peptides.2020.170299 · Cited by 7
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“Hormones that serve as proxies for hunger also increase dopamine neural activity [43], dopamine release [44] and the dopamine response to food [42] and food cues [45].”
BackgroundBeyond Hunger: The Structure, Signaling, and Systemic Roles of Ghrelin
Polishchuk, H., Guzik, K., & Kantyka, T. (2025) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms262210996 · Cited by 16
“…behavior was reduced by ghrelin, an effect attributed to GHSR1a-dependent increases in dopamine levels and the promotion of dopaminergic neuronal responses and synapse formation [278,279]; these effects were at least partially reversed by administration of a ghrelin-receptor antagonist [280].”
López, M., & Nogueiras, R. (2023) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2023.09.009 · Cited by 11
Ghrelin-induced neuronal NPY promotes brain metastasis in lung cancer patients with low BMI
Tyagi, A., Wu, S.-Y., Kim, J.-W., Deshpande, R. P., Wu, K., Smith, E. C., Banna, G. L., & Watabe, K. (2025) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60730-4 · Cited by 11
“…an orexigenic peptide regulating growth hormone secretion, food intake, and body weight through the growth hormone secretagogue receptor ( GHSR ) 32 – 39 , is elevated in both lean and healthy individuals undergoing fasting or calorie restriction but decreased in obese individuals, suggesting a…”
Wellman, M. K., Patterson, Z. R., MacKay, H., Darling, J. E., Mani, B. K., Zigman, J. M., Hougland, J. L., & Abizaid, A. B. (2015) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2015.00144 · Cited by 11
Self-citationFavorable Impact on Stress-Related Behaviors by Modulating Plasma Butyrylcholinesterase
Brimijoin, S., & Tye, S. J. (2017) · Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s10571-017-0523-z · Cited by 11
Mortazaei, S., Sahraei, H., Bahari, Z., Meftahi, G. H., Jahromi, G. P., & Hatef, B. (2018) · Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry · doi:10.1080/13813455.2018.1455711 · Cited by 11
“Ghrelin receptors (a stomach peptide) are seen to be expressed both on dopamine and non-dopamine neurons (GABAergic and glutamatergic) on the VTA (Abizaid et al. 2006). Egecioglu et al. (2010) showed that ghrelin signaling in the VTA enhances intake of palatable food. Skibicka et al. (2011) also revealed that ghrelin…”
BackgroundInfluentialMood, Food, and Fertility: Adaptations of the Maternal Brain
Woodside, B. C. (2016) · Comprehensive physiology · doi:10.1002/cphy.c150036 · Cited by 12
“Administration of leptin directly into the VTA decreases food intake whereas similar treatment with ghrelin increases it (9, 121).”
To eat or not to eat: A role for ghrelin and LEAP2 in eating disorders?
Tolle, V., du Montcel, C. T., Mattioni, J., Schéle, E., Viltart, O., & Dickson, S. L. (2024) · Neuroscience Applied · doi:10.1016/j.nsa.2024.104045 · Cited by 11
“While GHSR is located on VTA neurones (Zigman et al., 2006; Abizaid et al., 2006) and ghrelin delivery to this site can induce motivation for food (Skibicka et al., 2011, 2012b), there are indications that it can drive motivation from afferent pathways to the VTA, such as from the lateral…”
Ghrelin Recruits the Endocannabinoid System to Modulate Food Reward
Edwards, A., DeSante, S., Spencer, C. D., Hyland, L., Smith, A., Sankhe, A. S., Szilvásy‐Szabó, A., Fekete, C., Hill, M. N., Chee, M. J. S., et al. (2025) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.1620-24.2024 · Cited by 10
Self-citationBrain and gut microbiota disorders in the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa
Garcia‐Gil, M., Ceccarini, M. R., Stoppini, F., Cataldi, S., Mazzeschi, C., Delvecchio, E., Albi, E., & Gizzi, G. (2022) · Translational Neuroscience · doi:10.1515/tnsci-2022-0267 · Cited by 10
“Despite ghrelin resistance in AN, exogenous ghrelin or ghrelin receptor agonists may be able to improve the course of AN by stimulating appetite resulting in increased energy intake and body weight [52,53].”
BackgroundRegulación del apetito: bases neuroendocrinas e implicaciones clínicas
Palma, J., & Iriarte, J. (2012) · Medicina Clínica · doi:10.1016/j.medcli.2011.11.024 · Cited by 15
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Ghrelin concentration as an indicator of eating-disorder risk in obese women
Iceta, S., Julien, B., Seyssel, K., Lambert-Porcheron, S., Segrestin, B., Blond, E., Cristini, P., Laville, M., & Disse, E. (2018) · Diabetes & Metabolism · doi:10.1016/j.diabet.2018.01.006 · Cited by 10
Ghrelin Receptor Signaling Is Not Required for Glucocorticoid-Induced Obesity in Male Mice
Hay, R. E., Edwards, A., Klein, M., Hyland, L., MacDonald, D., Karatsoreos, I. N., Hill, M. N., & Abizaid, A. B. (2019) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/endocr/bqz023 · Cited by 10
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“[9] Indeed, there is growing evidence that central ghrelin-signaling plays a significant role in the regulation of alcohol intake.”
Targeting β-Arrestins in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders
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Zhao, J., Du, X., Chen, M., & Zhu, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Pharmacology · doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.718615 · Cited by 10
Neuroimaging the interaction of mind and metabolism in humans
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“These factors are key because they have been linked to brain dopamine systems[87–89], which has, in turn, been linked to hormonal and metabolic signaling in animal work [90–92], weight gain and obesity[24,93–95].”
BackgroundReward-Seeking Behavior and Addiction: Cause or Cog?
Arias-Carrión, Ó., & Salama, M. (2012) · Current Drug Abuse Reviews · doi:10.2174/1874473711205030178 · Cited by 10
“GHS-R1A is expressed pre and postsynaptically in the VTA [152] as well as on cholinergic neurons in the LDTg [153].”
BackgroundInteraction Between Orexins and the Mesolimbic System for Overriding Satiety
Hirasawa, M., Parsons, M. P., & Alberto, C. O. (2007) · Reviews in the Neurosciences · doi:10.1515/revneuro.2007.18.5.383 · Cited by 10
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New therapeutic approaches to target gut-brain axis dysfunction during anorexia nervosa
Achamrah, N., Déchelotte, P., & Coëffier, M. (2019) · Clinical Nutrition Experimental · doi:10.1016/j.yclnex.2019.01.006 · Cited by 10
Ghrelin Induces Place Preference for Social Interaction in the Larger Peer of a Male Rat Pair
Schéle, E., Pfabigan, D. M., Simrén, J., Sailer, U., & Dickson, S. L. (2020) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.027 · Cited by 10
Pierre, A., Schuerbeek, A. V., Allaoui, W., Laere, S. V., Singewald, N., Eeckhaut, A. V., Smolders, I. J., & Bundel, D. D. (2020) · Journal of Neurochemistry · doi:10.1111/jnc.14996 · Cited by 10
Chronic Social Defeat Stress Increases Brain Permeability to Ghrelin in Male Mice
Smith, A., MacAulay, B., Scheufen, J., Hudak, A., & Abizaid, A. B. (2024) · eNeuro · doi:10.1523/eneuro.0093-24.2024 · Cited by 10
“The VTA displays relatively high levels of GHSR expression in rats and mice, and ghrelin has the capacity to stimulate dopamine cells in this region and the release of dopamine in the NAc, in association with increases in feeding and food motivation (Abizaid et al., 2006; King et al., 2011).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationThe Pathologic Roles and Therapeutic Implications of Ghrelin/GHSR System in Mental Disorders
Mao, Q., Wang, J., Yang, Z., Ding, R., Lv, S., & Ji, X. (2024) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1155/2024/5537319 · Cited by 10
“It alleviated the mice ’ s depressive-like behavior by increasing dopamine levels and promoting an increase in dopaminergic neural responses, synapse formation, and dopaminergic cycling in the NAc in a GHSR-dependent way [53, 62].”
Midbrain ghrelin receptor signalling regulates binge drinking in a sex specific manner
Pearl, A. J., Maddern, X. J., Pinares-Garcia, P., Ursich, L. T., Anversa, R. G., Shesham, A., Brown, R. M., Reed, F. M., Giardino, W. J., Lawrence, A. J., et al. (2025) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-025-57880-w · Cited by 9
“GHSR is also expressed within the neighbouring VTA, on dopaminergic cells, acting to increase dopamine release within the down-stream nucleus accumbens (Acb) 42,49,70,71 , which can be prevented by peripheral GHSR antagonist administration 42 .”
LEAP2 as a therapeutic target in obesity and cardiometabolic disorders
Holm, S. K., Johansen, V. B. I., & Clemmensen, C. (2025) · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · doi:10.1007/s11154-025-10007-4 · Cited by 10
“Such functional selectivity could allow for attenuation of ghrelin’s orexigenic and potentially reward-related effects [ 191, 192 ] while preserving other benefi - cial downstream actions such as GH release.”
Le, N., Sayers, S., Mata‐Pacheco, V., & Wagner, E. J. (2022) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2022.877647 · Cited by 10
Potential roles of the gut microbiota in the manifestations of drug use disorders
Wang, Z., Hou, C., Chen, L., Zhang, M., & Luo, W. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1046804 · Cited by 9
“It is closely linked to the central dopamine system and can promote the expression of dopamine receptors in the striatum, enhance reward behavior, and enhance novelty-seeking behavior in rodents (31, 32).”
BackgroundPeripheral Signals Modifying Food Reward
Menzies, J. R. W., Skibicka, K. P., Egecioglu, E., Leng, G., & Dickson, S. L. (2011) · Handbook of experimental pharmacology · doi:10.1007/978-3-642-24716-3_6 · Cited by 9
“GHS-R1A is co-localised both in dopamine (tyrosine hydroxylase)-containing cells in the VTA (Abizaid et al. 2006) and with cholinergic (choline acetyl transferase)containing cells in the LDTg (Dickson et al.”
BackgroundHabegger, K. M. (2011) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2011.00067 · Cited by 9
Chagraoui, A., & Thibaut, F. (2016) · Current Addiction Reports · doi:10.1007/s40429-016-0120-0 · Cited by 9
Stress response pathways, appetite regulation, and drug addiction
Al’Absi, M. (2017) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.11.012 · Cited by 9
Suda, Y., Kuzumaki, N., Narita, M., Hamada, Y., Shibasaki, M., Tanaka, K., Tamura, H., Kawamura, T., Kondo, T., Yamanaka, A., et al. (2018) · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC · doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.01.145 · Cited by 12
Mani, B. K., Castorena, C. M., Vianna, C. R., Lee, C. E., Metzger, N. P., Vijayaraghavan, P., Osborne-Lawrence, S. L., Elmquist, J. K., & Zigman, J. M. (2019) · Neuroscience · doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.09.005 · Cited by 9
Nesfatin-1 in the neurochemistry of eating disorders
Pałasz, A., Rojczyk, E., Siwiec, A., & Janas-Kozik, M. H. (2020) · Psychiatria Polska · doi:10.12740/pp/102659 · Cited by 9
“The effect of nesfatin-1 on the VTA seems to be analogous to the activity of leptin, but different than that of ghrelin [73, 74].”
Słotwińska, S. M. (2021) · Central European Journal of Immunology · doi:10.5114/ceji.2020.103415 · Cited by 9
“It has also been shown that ghrelin is involved in centrally regulated processes of learning, rewarding, stimulating mood and memory, and in response to stress [8, 14, 15].”
BackgroundSzulc, M., Kujawski, R., Baraniak, J., Kania-Dobrowolska, M., Kamińska, E., Gryszczyńska, A., Czora-Poczwardowska, K., Winiarska, H., & Mikołajczak, P. Ł. (2021) · Pharmaceuticals · doi:10.3390/ph15010025 · Cited by 9
“In general, ghrelin presence in the brain has been well documented [30,36] and the active form of ghrelin passes the bloodbrain barrier [37], even when released or administered peripherally [38], and in this way, it may have central effects [30,39].”
BackgroundLedonne, A., Sebastianelli, L., Federici, M., Bernardi, G., & Mercuri, N. B. (2009) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1111/j.1476-5381.2008.00081.x · Cited by 9
“Moreover, ghrelin, the peptide secreted by the empty gut to induce a meal, and orexin, a hypothalamic-secreted peptide, influence the activity of dopaminergic neurons (Abizaid et al., 2006; Borgland et al., 2006; Jerlhag et al., 2007).”
BackgroundDagher, A. (2010) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-374387-9.00002-7 · Cited by 10
Neurobiology of food choices—between energy homeostasis, reward system, and neuroeconomics
Enax, L., & Weber, B. (2016) · e-Neuroforum · doi:10.1007/s13295-015-0020-0 · Cited by 10
3.4 Ion Channels and Regulation of Dopamine Neuron Activity
Liss, B., & Roeper, J. (2009) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195373035.003.0009 · Cited by 8
Zhang, F., Xu, F., Mi, X., Dong, L.-F., Xiao, Y.-H., Jiang, S., Li, G.-D., & Zhou, Y. (2020) · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC · doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.05.227 · Cited by 8
Lançon, K., Tian, J., Bach, H., Drapeau, P., Poulin, J.-F., & Séguéla, P. (2025) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.2502558122 · Cited by 8
“This could be mediated directly by the hormones leptin and ghrelin, released by adipose tissue and the stomach, respectively, that have been shown to bidirectionally modulate VTA DA neurons ( 76 , 77 ).”
Orexigenic Hypothalamic Peptides Behavior and Feeding
Davis, J. F., Choi, D. L., & Benoit, S. C. (2011) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-92271-3_24 · Cited by 8
Fioriti, L., Wijesekara, N., Argyrousi, E. K., Matsuzaki, S., Takamura, H., Satoh, K., Han, K., Yamauchi, H., Staniszewski, A., Acquarone, E., et al. (2025) · Alzheimer s & Dementia · doi:10.1002/alz.70030 · Cited by 8
Walker, C.-D. (2012) · International Journal of Obesity Supplements · doi:10.1038/ijosup.2012.14 · Cited by 8
Dagher, A., Neseliler, S., & Han, J.-E. (2016) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-805308-9.00032-4 · Cited by 8
Small, B. C., Quiniou, S. M. A., Kaiya, H., Bledsoe, J. W., & Musungu, B. M. (2018) · Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology · doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.11.013 · Cited by 8
Glucose availability regulates ghrelin‐induced food intake in the ventral tegmental area
Lockie, S., Stark, R., Spanswick, D., & Andrews, Z. (2019) · Journal of neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.12696 · Cited by 7
Self-citationA skeleton in the cupboard in ghrelin research: Where are the skinny dwarfs?
Peris‐Sampedro, F., May, M. V. L., Stoltenborg, I., Schéle, E., & Dickson, S. L. (2021) · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · doi:10.1111/jne.13025 · Cited by 8
Antagonism of Ghrelin for Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
Ahima, R. S. (2007) · Endocrinology · doi:10.1210/en.2007-1110 · Cited by 8
On the Abilities of Unconscious Freudian Motivational Drives to Evoke Conscious Emotions
Kirsch, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00470 · Cited by 11
“The activation of neurons in the latter area and also in the ventral tegmental area can result in the release of the catecholamine dopamine (Naleid et al., 2005; Abizaid et al., 2006; Jerlhag et al., 2007), and that neuromodulator is a key intermediate in the activation of the SEEKING system (Panksepp, 1998; Panksepp…”
BackgroundThe additive effect of allopregnanolone on ghrelin's orexigenic effect in rats
Löfgren, M., Holmberg, E., Bäckström, T. C., Egecioglu, E., & Dickson, S. L. (2019) · Neuropeptides · doi:10.1016/j.npep.2019.101937 · Cited by 8
Howick, K., Chruścicka, B., Felice, D., Ramírez, V. T., van Leuven, L., Pietra, C., Cryan, J. F., Griffin, B. T., & Schellekens, H. (2020) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108011 · Cited by 8
Neuronal Substrate of Eating Disorders
Calvez, J. (2014) · Brain Disorders & Therapy · doi:10.4172/2168-975x.1000121 · Cited by 8
“Leptin suppresses [181,182] and ghrelin activates [183,184] the reward system.”
BackgroundExperimental biology can inform our understanding of food insecurity
Wilbrecht, L., Lin, W. C., Callahan, K., Melissa Bateson, B., Myers, K. P., & Ross, R. (2024) · Journal of Experimental Biology · doi:10.1242/jeb.246215 · Cited by 7
“…dopamine neurons express ghrelin receptors, leptin receptors, melanocortin receptors, and other receptors which are sensitive to nutritional state (Abizaid et al., 2006; Abizaid, 2009; Cornejo et al., 2020; Fulton et al., 2006; Hommel et al., 2006; Kleinridders and Pothos, 2019; Lippert et al.,…”
Shabanov, P. D., Vinogradov, P. M., Aa, L., Roik, R. O., & Morozov, V. I. (2017) · Reviews on Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy · doi:10.17816/rcf15438-45 · Cited by 7
“В исследованиях последних лет показано, что системное внутрижелудочковое и внутриструктурное (в вентральную область покрышки) введение грелина вызывает повышение экстраклеточного дофамина (ДА) в прилежащем ядре, а также увеличивает локомоторную активность животных [9, 17].”
Emerging Targets for the Diagnosis of Parkinson’S Disease: Examination of Systemic Biomarkers
Cheslow, L., Snook, A. E., & Waldman, S. A. (2021) · Biomarkers in Medicine · doi:10.2217/bmm-2020-0654 · Cited by 7
Metadata
- Authors
- Abizaid, A., Liu, Z.-W., Andrews, Z. B., Shanabrough, M., Borok, E., Elsworth, J. D., Roth, R. H., Sleeman, M. W., Picciotto, M. R., Tschöp, M. H., Gao, X.-B., & Horvath, T. L.
- Affiliations
- Yale University (US)
- Regeneron (United States) (US)
- University of Cincinnati (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Investigation
- Published
- 2006-12-01
- Volume
- 116
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 3229-3239
- ISSN
- 0021-9738 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2086950122
- Cited by
- 984
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 23 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 46 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 44 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 57 · 2014: 60 · 2013: 73 · 2012: 78
- FWCI
- 15.69
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Investigation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yale University
- Ipsen
- National Institutes of Health (5r01mh057483-13, DK056863)
- Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Yale University
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (P50AA015632)
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG022880, AG-022880)
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01-MH057483, R01MH014092, MH014092, MH057483, R37MH014092)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK070723, DK-056863, DK-069987, DK 060711, DK 070723, P01DK056863, DK074386, R01DK069987, R01DK074386, R01DK060711)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (R01NS041725, NS-041725)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
- Keywords
- ghrelin, ventral tegmental area, dopaminergic neurons, nucleus accumbens, synaptic plasticity, feeding behavior, appetite, mesolimbic reward circuitry, energy metabolism
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Appetite, Dopamine, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Male, Mesencephalon, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Neurons, Nucleus Accumbens, Time Factors, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Ventral Tegmental Area, Mice, Knockout, Patch-Clamp Techniques, Peptide Hormones, Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled, Mice, Rats, Ghrelin, Receptors, Ghrelin
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