Amygdala Neurons Found to Regulate Hunger and Thirst

A new study by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, in collaboration with the University of Regensburg and Stanford University, reveals how specific neurons in the amygdala regulate hunger and thirst. Using advanced techniques like optogenetics in mice, scientists identified specialized neuron groups in the amygdala’s central nucleus—some dedicated exclusively to thirst, others influencing both hunger and thirst. Activating or suppressing these neurons directly affected the mice’s eating and drinking behavior.

The findings show how the brain deciphers the body’s nutritional needs and translates them into actions. Researchers also found that amygdala neurons influence preferences—pairing an undesirable flavor with neural stimulation made it more appealing. This highlights the amygdala’s role in linking food and drink with emotional value. These discoveries open new questions about how the brain manages competing needs and how these neural circuits may be disrupted in eating disorders, obesity, or addiction. The study was published in Nature.

04-04-2025

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