Regulation of feeding by somatostatin neurons in the tuberal nucleus

Neurons that regulate feeding The tuberal nucleus, an area of the hypothalamus, has not been studied in great detail. Luo et al. found that GABAergic somatostatin neurons in the tuberal nucleus are functionally involved in the regulation of feeding in mice (GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid) (see the Perspective by Diano). These neurons were activated by food deprivation or hunger hormone. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments indicated that these cells are necessary and sufficient to control systemic metabolic balance. This newly described regulatory center is extensively connected with other feeding control circuits via projections to other hypothalamic nuclei. Science , this issue p. 76 ; see also p. 29