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Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) controls food intake and energy
expenditure via tight co-ordinations between multiple neuronal populations.
Specifically, two distinct neuronal populations exist in the arcuate nucleus
of hypothalamus (ARH): the anorexigenic (appetite-suppressing) proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons and the orexigenic (appetite-increasing)
neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons. Coordinated regulation of neuronal circuit involving these neurons is essential
to properly maintain energy balance, and any disturbance therein may result
in
hyperphagia/obesity
or
hypophagia/starvation.
Thus,
adequate
knowledge on the POMC and NPY/AgRP neuron physiology is mandatory to
understand the pathophysiology of obesity and related metabolic diseases.
This review will discuss the history and recent updates on the POMC and
NPY/AgRP neuronal circuits as well as the general anorexigenic and
orexigenic circuits in the CNS.