Narrative review uncovers neural circuits and peripheral molecular pathways driving anorexia in preclinical models, highlighting novel therapeutic targets like the GDF15-GFRAL pathway.
Clarify the peripheral and central molecular mechanisms regulating various types of anorexia, identify key cytokines and neural circuits, and propose new strategies for its treatment. Key scientific concepts of review: Anorexia animal models, including activity-induced, genetic mutation, and inflammation-induced types, are explored for their relevance to studying the disorder. Anorexic behavior is regulated by cytokines, hormones (like GDF15, GLP-1, and leptin), and neural circuits such as AgRP, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic pathways. Disruptions in these pathways, including GABAergic signaling in AgRP neurons and 5-HT2C and D2 receptors, contribute to anorexia. Potential therapies target neurotransmitter receptors, ghrelin receptors, and the GDF15-GFRAL pathway, offering insights for treating anorexia, immune responses, and obesity.
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Mao et al. (2025) studied this question.
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