Overview of the central amygdala role in feeding behaviour

Abstract

The neural regulation of feeding behaviour, as an essential factor for survival, is an important research area today. Feeding behaviour and other lifestyle habits play a major role in optimising health and obesity control. Feeding behaviour is physiologically controlled through processes associated with energy and nutrient needs. Different brain nuclei are involved in the neural regulation of feeding behaviours. Therefore, understanding the function of these brain nuclei helps develop feeding control methods. Among important brain nuclei, there is scant literature on the central amygdala (CeA) nucleus and feeding behaviour. The CeA is one of the critical brain regions that play a significant role in various physiological and behavioural responses, such as emotional states, reward processing, energy balance, and feeding behaviour. It contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons. Also, it is the major output region of the amygdaloidal complex. Moreover, the CeA is also involved in multiple molecular and biochemical factors and has extensive connections with other brain nuclei and their neurotransmitters, highlighting its role in feeding behaviour. This review aims to highlight the significance of the CeA nucleus on food consumption by its interaction with the performance of reward, digestive and emotional systems.

Organization of neural systems expressing melanocortin‐3 receptors in the mouse brain: Evidence for sexual dimorphism

“…The basomedial nucleus and lateral zone of the posterior part of the cortical nucleus receive inputs from the main olfactory system, and each contains MC3R neurons that project to dorsal and ventral components of the anterior division of the BST, which contain very high densities of labeled axons but few MC3R cell bodies. Many MC3R neurons are located in the central amygdaloid nucleus (lateral part), which projects to the anterolateral area of the BST and plays an important role in multiple aspects of consummatory behavior and autonomic regulation (Cai et al., 2014; Dong et al., 2001; Hulsman et al., 2021; Izadi & Radahmadi, 2021; Kafami & Nasimi, 2016; Petrovich & Swanson, 1997; Saha, 2005). Notably, amygdalar cell groups that do not project directly to the BST (lateral and anterior basolateral nuclei) appear to lack MC3R neurons.…”

Transcriptomics reveals amygdala neuron regulation by fasting and ghrelin thereby promoting feeding

“…What has been an open question in the field is how appetitive CeA neurons become activated. They could be activated via their afferent inputs, some of which have been characterized anatomically, but not functionally, including the basolateral amygdala (BLA), hypothalamus, substantia nigra, parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) (Douglass et al ., 2017; Izadi and Radahmadi, 2022; Kim et al ., 2017). Additionally, appetitive CeA neurons may be under hormonal control.…”

Effects of central amygdala chemogenetic manipulation and prior chronic alcohol exposure on Pavlovian‐to‐instrumental transfer

“…Although the activation of DREADD H4 receptors did not affect consumption, activation of DREADD H3 receptors substantially decreased consumption. Again, this finding likely reflects complex differential effects of CeA manipulation; thought to modulate feeding behaviors, subpopulations within the CeA have been shown to enhance or inhibit consumption depending on the cell types affected (Cai et al, 2014; Douglass et al, 2017; for review, see Izadi & Radahmadi, 2021). Enhanced PIT was also accompanied by significantly higher prefeeding consumption in CIE animals relative to Air animals.…”